Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
Miller Time
|
||||
|
It’s a shame Michelle Wie won’t be in the field at the LPGA Tour’s Samsung World Championship. The 19-year-old barely missed qualifying for the 20-player event at Torrey Pines in San Diego, finishing two spots behind final qualifier Na Yeon Choi on the money list. Wie has certainly shown recent signs of becoming a consistent force on Tour despite the fact she still hasn’t won an official event as a professional. The 19-year-old Hawaiian finished at least tied for 11th in four of her last five stroke-play events, including tying for fourth at last week’s Safeway Classic. Most notably, she went 3-0-1 for the United States at the Solheim Cup in August, shining on what has been one of her largest competitive stages. It seems like Wie should be at the Samsung, but she simply didn’t earn a spot there. The tournament is regarded by many as the fifth major on the LPGA Tour schedule, and this season it moves to a new, high-profile venue in the South Course at Torrey Pines, an annual stop for the PGA Tour and the site of what was arguably the most famous men’s major of the decade — Tiger Woods’ hobbled triumph in the 2008 U.S. Open. A struggling economy has squeezed the LPGA Tour’s tournament slate this season and in years to come, and the fiasco surrounding Carolyn Bivens and her resignation as Tour commissioner in July was a P.R. black eye for an organization already struggling to maintain its viability in the professional landscape. Combined, these two circumstances place even more pressure on high-profile American events like the Samsung to succeed financially and generate interest among fans both of golf and sports in general. The circuit’s usual suspects — Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Karrie Webb — all qualified for the Samsung, as did a contingent of younger international stars like Ji-Yai Shin, Ai Miyazato and Yani Tseng. These players will probably put on a show for San Diego galleries, and it will be interesting to see how these women perform at a lengthy venue that’s gained its international notoriety largely through male competition. But Wie’s absence likely means hundreds, if not thousands of spectators lost. Regardless of the talent already on display, Wie is the biggest drawing card, having become a media fixture at a very early age and possessing an intangible buzz not apparent among any other competitor — not even Ochoa or Creamer, probably the most charismatic American besides Wie. Prior to this season, Wie’s professional career was marred by curious tournament withdrawals, sometimes embarrassing appearances at men’s professional events and the overbearing presence of her parents. This year has been different. After joining the Tour through Qualifying School, the former can’t-miss talent contended in her first event of the season, finishing second in front of thousands of hometown supporters in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay in Hawaii. All told, Wie has six top-10 finishes (the same number as world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa) and a 70.76 scoring average, 10th on the LPGA Tour. If not for Shin, Wie would be the front-runner for Rolex Rookie of the Year honors. If Wie continues her hot play for the remainder of the season, her absence from the Samsung will hurt even more — not the best scenario for a tour that needs all the help it can get. Eli Miller is the managing editor of Southland Golf. Reach him at emiller@churmmedia.com. ALSO SEE: Field finalized for Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
NO WIE, NO ME!
I agree whole-heartedly, Eli. I was shocked to learn that she would not be competing.
A sponsor’s exemption for Inkster, but not for Wie? THAT’S ratings genius!
The LPGA continues to be its own worst enemy, as well as their dwindling list of sponsors.
I won't be watching.
| Comment at 9/13/2009 |
Fans of LPGA are very different from the PGA fans. There is a reason why watching ladies play is more attractive than watching PGA players. Definitely Inkster doesn't make me watch ... LPGA leadership is still questionable.
| Comment at 9/17/2009 |
Very disappointed Michelle Wie didn't get an exemption for the Sam Sung tournament this year. Julie Inkster doesn't come anywhere near Wie in getting the attraction and reason for viewers to watch or even be interested. I too will not be watching and am only interested in tournaments when Michelle Wie is included. There seems to be favortism within the LPGA and they are foolish and will continually detract people from being interested in watching the LPGA. Very poor financial decision on their part.
| Comment at 9/19/2009 |
