Should Michelle Wie be playing in the PGA?

[SilverBritches]

Do you think she should be playing in the tournaments with the guys?

[Djshockley3]

Do you think she should be playing in the tournaments with the guys?


I think so,I means he is really good,she can hang with them guys. :D

[Jordan]

My opinion on everything like this for any sport.... (and women, no flaming. :p)

I don't have a problem with women playing in a traditionally male sport, or even a league within that sport. But at the same time, it brings up another question... what if a man wanted to participate in the LPGA? Not gonna happen.

[SilverBritches]

I meant to make this a poll but I forgot and hit submit so I guess there will be no poll.

Anyways I saw a thing on ESPN's outside the lines about this topic. Just wondering what everyone else's opinion on this is.

I am kind of indifferent on it. I don't watch much golf besides some of the majors and I usually watch a good bit of the Masters. I do think if shes good enough then thats ok. However, I bet some LPGA people would like her to stick to the LPGA.

[SilverBritches]

My opinion on everything like this for any sport.... (and women, no flaming. :p)

I don't have a problem with women playing in a traditionally male sport, or even a league within that sport. But at the same time, it brings up another question... what if a man wanted to participate in the LPGA? Not gonna happen.

I have never even thought about that. Good point.

[WayzUp]

What would be the alternative is my question. Ban her from playing on the PGA Tour? The way I see it, if a player good enough to make the cut on any given weekend, they're good enough to be on the Tour, man or woman. Chris Riley, the lone bright spot of our sorry Ryder Cup team last year, was supposed to make a name for himself on Tour this year...become a real force. He's played in 14 tournaments this year and only made the cut five times, missing the cut in 9 of his last 10. The one he did make the cut for, he finished 49th. Wie could put up those kind of numbers....only difference would be that Wie's entourage of hundreds watching her every shot would make Riley's three fans upset. Boo-freakin'-hoo.

She's 6' tall, she longer off the tee than half the pro men and she's doesn't even have a driver's license...why would you want to stand in the way of that kind of talent & potential? Let her do what it appears she was born to do, I say.

[WayzUp]

My opinion on everything like this for any sport.... (and women, no flaming. :p)

I don't have a problem with women playing in a traditionally male sport, or even a league within that sport. But at the same time, it brings up another question... what if a man wanted to participate in the LPGA? Not gonna happen.
I see what you're saying but we have to be a little realistic here. The difference in the amount of money and TV exposure alone is incentive enough to throw out the devil's advocate argument.

I won't go looking for actual numbers or anything but the average purse for a PGA Tour event has to be in the $6-8 million range...majors being even higher than that. The average purse on the LPGA tour is what...$1.8 million? If I'm wrong, it's because I'm guessing too high. Throw in the same disparity in the amount endorsements pay and there's no reason whatsoever for anyone who qualifies to play on the PGA Tour to go play on the LPGA one....even if they dominated for a year, they'd probably break even if they were to even just make the cut 5 times all year on the PGA Tour. I see the principle behind the argument but if there no reason anyone to do it, it's just doesn't carry much weight to me. I love golf though...and the way I see it, having women play on the PGA Tour (as ability permits) only helps the game of golf because it will get kids my daughter's age wanting to be the next Michelle Wie and I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with that! ;)

[cocky4ever]

Well, Wayz basically already made the points I would've made. If she's good enough to play with the guys then they should let her play. I think it would be good for the game.

[Chris]

If Wei can play in the PGA, Tiger and I should be allowed to play in the LPGA.

[JerryBeeds]

If Wei can play in the PGA, Tiger and I should be allowed to play in the LPGA.
My thoughts exactly. Some guy tried to sue the LPGA last year to be admitted on tour. I think he lost, but he had a strong case.

[Jordan]

If Wei can play in the PGA, Tiger and I should be allowed to play in the LPGA.
Exactly my point. I don't have a problem with men/women playing in the same league, but it's the fact that there is a LPGA in existence. If there were no women's league, then I'd definitely say that she could..... like NHL which has had a handful of women players over the years. There is nothing wrong with that, as there was not a professional women's league for them to play in.

Again, a man would never be allowed to play in the LPGA, because as in the name it is ladies-only. And there would be TONS of conflict if there was ever an MPGA for men-only. I'm all for women playing sports that are traditionally male sports, but if there is a women's league in place then she should play in that league.

One of the few differences between the two leagues is that women generally hit from a slightly closer tee position (I believe, correct me on this if I'm wrong). Also, the average drives are usually shorter in their league. If she feels better than the rest in the LPGA and feels she can contend at the top of the PGA, then great for her. But they should make the LPGA open to men/women that don't play quite as well as the people in the PGA, and open to both sexes as well. Kind of like how boxing has different weight classes, this would be determined based on driving/average scores/etc.

[Cianne]

Exactly my point. I don't have a problem with men/women playing in the same league, but it's the fact that there is a LPGA in existence. If there were no women's league, then I'd definitely say that she could..... like NHL which has had a handful of women players over the years. There is nothing wrong with that, as there was not a professional women's league for them to play in.

http://www.nwhlhockey.com/ as of 1999.

Again, a man would never be allowed to play in the LPGA, because as in the name it is ladies-only. And there would be TONS of conflict if there was ever an MPGA for men-only. I'm all for women playing sports that are traditionally male sports, but if there is a women's league in place then she should play in that league.

There would be tons of conflict if it was male only, and that's why it isn't. If it's the Professional Golfer's Association and Martians wanted to come play in it, as long as they abided by said rules in the PGA Handbook, there should be no problem with it. If a bunch of men want to get their white tighties in a wad over Annika Sorenstam or Michelle Wie beating them from the Championship Tees, maybe they should learn to play a bit better. I consider the PGA to be the top level of golf. It goes PGA -> Champions/LPGA/Nationwide Tour -> Whatever the league is below this. Using your logic, I should be able to play in the Champions League or whatever the old folks league is because it's discriminatory against my age. You also don't see any problem with seniors playing in PGA events despite the fact that they have their own league.

One of the few differences between the two leagues is that women generally hit from a slightly closer tee position (I believe, correct me on this if I'm wrong). Also, the average drives are usually shorter in their league. If she feels better than the rest in the LPGA and feels she can contend at the top of the PGA, then great for her. But they should make the LPGA open to men/women that don't play quite as well as the people in the PGA, and open to both sexes as well. Kind of like how boxing has different weight classes, this would be determined based on driving/average scores/etc.

You're right. One of the differences is where the tee boxes are located. The Women do hit from what would be regarded as Ladies tees resulting in shorter holes. Sorenstam leads the LPGA with a 271.0 yards per drive average. That would be considered 181st on the PGA tour. However, drive length really doesn't play out to be that big a deal and is overhyped as long as you can put the ball in the fairway and on the green which you will find that most every LPGA player does better than a PGA player. If I hit a ball 310 into the heavy rough, I'm going to be far worse off than if I hit it 250 in the middle of the short grass. There's a reason I tee off with my good ol' 3 iron since my driver goes God knows where :D .

But anywho, there are lesser leagues for players that can't hack it without getting into the PGA events. The Nationwide tour pays just as well as the LPGA. Anyone suing to get on the LPGA tour as a male is a no talent hack that can't make it in the Nationwide tour. He should go find himself a nice country club to look over and play in any local Nationwide or PGA Pro/Ams until he figures out that a) his game has improved or b) he has a pretty good job where he is.

[WayzUp]

If Wei can play in the PGA, Tiger and I should be allowed to play in the LPGA.
Tiger probably makes more by using a Nike ball for one weekend than he would if he won ever LPGA tour event all year long. One of his appearance fees is more than than most of the entire purse for an LPGA event. And if you're good enough to make it through the PGA qualifying to get your card, you're absolutely good enough to make it on the Nationwide Tour. And if you're on the Nationwide Tour, you're still making more than you would if you were on the LPGA.

Why would any man good enough to play the lesser men's tours want to join the LPGA? :confused: Even to make a point....?

[Cianne]

Why would any man good enough to play the lesser men's tours want to join the LPGA? :confused: Even to make a point....?

You're a crappy golfer looking for fast cash through a lawsuit.

[Jordan]

http://www.nwhlhockey.com/ as of 1999.

But that is not (at least not yet) a very good league for someone looking to make a great career out of hockey. It has only 7 or 8 teams, all of which are based solely in Canada if I'm not mistaken.

There would be tons of conflict if it was male only, and that's why it isn't. If it's the Professional Golfer's Association and Martians wanted to come play in it, as long as they abided by said rules in the PGA Handbook, there should be no problem with it. If a bunch of men want to get their white tighties in a wad over Annika Sorenstam or Michelle Wie beating them from the Championship Tees, maybe they should learn to play a bit better. I consider the PGA to be the top level of golf. It goes PGA -> Champions/LPGA/Nationwide Tour -> Whatever the league is below this. Using your logic, I should be able to play in the Champions League or whatever the old folks league is because it's discriminatory against my age. You also don't see any problem with seniors playing in PGA events despite the fact that they have their own league.



You're right. One of the differences is where the tee boxes are located. The Women do hit from what would be regarded as Ladies tees resulting in shorter holes. Sorenstam leads the LPGA with a 271.0 yards per drive average. That would be considered 181st on the PGA tour. However, drive length really doesn't play out to be that big a deal and is overhyped as long as you can put the ball in the fairway and on the green which you will find that most every LPGA player does better than a PGA player. If I hit a ball 310 into the heavy rough, I'm going to be far worse off than if I hit it 250 in the middle of the short grass. There's a reason I tee off with my good ol' 3 iron since my driver goes God knows where :D .

But anywho, there are lesser leagues for players that can't hack it without getting into the PGA events. The Nationwide tour pays just as well as the LPGA. Anyone suing to get on the LPGA tour as a male is a no talent hack that can't make it in the Nationwide tour. He should go find himself a nice country club to look over and play in any local Nationwide or PGA Pro/Ams until he figures out that a) his game has improved or b) he has a pretty good job where he is.

I'm not TRULY against women in the PGA, and most of this is just playing the devil's advocate here. If you're good enough to compete in the league, then have at it. I was just making a point that using the logic of most supporters of this, that why is there an LPGA for ladies only? If the main selling point of that league is for people who compete at a slightly less than PGA-level calibur, then why don't these women just play in the Nationwide Tour (or comparable tour) themselves.... as opposed to having a league that just accepts a single sex.

[GeauxTo]

My opinion on everything like this for any sport.... (and women, no flaming. :p)

I don't have a problem with women playing in a traditionally male sport, or even a league within that sport. But at the same time, it brings up another question... what if a man wanted to participate in the LPGA? Not gonna happen.
I like your point here, Jordan. Valid, I think.
;)

[BeeDee]

If Wei can play in the PGA, Tiger and I should be allowed to play in the LPGA.I think it's reasonable to say that a person should be able to play UP, but not down. Letting Woods play in the LPGA would be kinda like allowing Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning and the rest of the Colts field a college team and play in the NCAA. They've already moved into the ultimate league and there's no going back now. I do say though, that once she's made the leap to the PGA, she should not be allowed to go back to the LPGA. She has to fight it out with the big guys all the time.

I, by the way, have the same issue with Winston/Nextel/Tampax Cup drivers driving in the Busch series races on Saturday... it seems unfair to me.

[Cianne]

But that is not (at least not yet) a very good league for someone looking to make a great career out of hockey. It has only 7 or 8 teams, all of which are based solely in Canada if I'm not mistaken.



I'm not TRULY against women in the PGA, and most of this is just playing the devil's advocate here. If you're good enough to compete in the league, then have at it. I was just making a point that using the logic of most supporters of this, that why is there an LPGA for ladies only? If the main selling point of that league is for people who compete at a slightly less than PGA-level calibur, then why don't these women just play in the Nationwide Tour (or comparable tour) themselves.... as opposed to having a league that just accepts a single sex.

I'm just playing Devil's Advocate as well :) Honestly I don't think it should matter, and really the only people that are complaining are the chauvinists (see Vijay Singh) and the people that just aren't that good (whoever else).

European, LPGA, Nationwide, Champions, PGA. Nobody is complaining about Colin Montgomerie coming over from the European Tour nor Arnold Palmer coming to play in the Masters. It's just the women, and it's because some men are threatened for whatever reason so they come up with bogus "Well if they can, I should" arguments.

Oh and really about the Nationwide Tour...if it and the LPGA were the same, there would be a million golfers in it. They are really about equal for the mainstay of their membership outside of a select few so consider it just separate divisions of AAA farm league baseball where some get called up i.e. Annika or Wie or whoever plays in the Nationwide Tour that doesn't even get on TV.