Mainstream media still pimping Michelle Wie PGA Tour shot over Ricoh Women's British Open
Michelle Wie’s first round at the PGA Tour’s Legends Reno Tahoe Open is getting more attention than the first round at the Ricoh Women’s British Open - at least in mainstream U.S. sports media.
On ESPN News’ looping coverage, they are showing several shots of Wie’s first round. First an approach shot into a par 5 that nearly went in, followed by the birdie make, followed by a nice up-and-down pitch for par.
They didn’t show action of any one else at the tournament (are there any other players in the tournament?). According to the ESPN write-up (which dwarfs the Sunningdale coverage), Wie had more people watching her tee off on the first tee than anyone else.
They then showed one shot from Annika Sorenstam at Sunningdale before flashing that Juli Inskter was on top.
I suppose the coverage difference makes sense because this is more like weekend play for Michelle Wie. Friday is the new Sunday for her, because if she is able to make the cut, it’s safe to say she’ll finish at the bottom of the weekend field. Friday is for all the marbles.
The fact she still has this kind of pull should only infuriate the LPGA Tour further after she decided to play against the men rather than qualify for the British. That said, if Wie is playing well, it only stands to help the LPGA long term.
I still can’t decide how big of a deal it is if she in fact makes it. It is a long golf course and its a PGA Tour-sanctioned event (though the top players are all competing at the WGC at Bridgestone this week).
Still, a woman - who isn’t even in the LPGA’s Top 50 players - able to make a cut on a 7,400-yard golf course is impressive, but I don’t want to encourage this behavior, either.
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20 comments
She didn't decide to play the men rather than go to the Womens British open as you have implied. Read the following link.
http://golf.about.com/b/2008/07/31/clearing-up-wies-womens-british-open-choice.htm
Sometimes there is some logic in what she has done.
Wie didn't withdraw from the Women's British Open final qualifier on Monday - because she was never entered in it. She withdrew from an earlier qualifier for reasons that appear mostly to be about logistics; and it was only after she knew she wouldn't be playing in the Women's British Open that Wie announced she would be playing the Reno-Tahoe.
From my article:
The fact she still has this kind of pull should only infuriate the LPGA Tour further after she decided to play against the men rather than qualify for the British
Sounds sync'd up to me. She was in Reno Monday instead of at the qualifier.
Makes for a much juicier story your way, doesn't it?
By the way, Inkster is incredible...
The way the State Farm Classic was mishandled, I doubt Michelle is in a great big hurry to join the LPGA any time soon. I think the Stanford program should be put on hold for a while.
Jeff Overton's 65 was seven strokes better that his 2008 average. This guy is 6'4" and 200 pounds who just had an exceptional round of golf. Let's see how he does in the second round.
If there's anything we know about Wie, it's that she's a student of the game and an ambassador to tradition.
Between the PGA and LPGA Tours, Wie may never have to qualify again!
Why do people think she 'have' to play in the British Open?
+9!
While The Princess of DQs and MCs (aka The Teenage Golf Sensation) disappointed yesterday, she delivered in full today!
--Coolio
And?
Were they not precisely right?
--Coolio
The pertinent fact is that she had a larger crowd following her than anyone else at the tournament. This happens whenever she plays. That is what really frosts people like anna and other lpga players. They can be in the lead and she is outdrawing them in the gallery dept! I can't quite figure out the mental errors the young lady brings to the game (DQ'S etc...), but I am still grateful for the fact that at the age of 15 she inspired my daught to take up golfing, and Smails, I'll play you head 2 head, or my daughter will. Ha ha
ps what happened to your buddy alex>?
I'd be happy to clean up you or your daughter. Just remember, if she wants to play me, she has to play from the men's tees (equality, right?). And that goes for you, too!
Oh, also, bring your wallet.
Let me know when you shoot a 73 from the tips in Reno, then you can be critical of MW.
Like I said, let me know when your beloved MW has her first win under her belt (or, you know, like, breaks any meaningful age-related record, as she was supposed to), then you can obviously praise and defend her, you know.
You know, why are you defending her anyway? Is she, like, paying you or are you doing it because you are having a lot of fun? Or are you learning a lot? Maybe its a confidence builder and you can put it into the memory bank.
--Coolio
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