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Justin Timberlake and Michelle Wie hoping for PGA Tour exemptions

Thursday April 19, 2007 | 12:17:30 263 words, 12021 views

Justin Timberlake must have plenty of time on his hands. He has decided that songwriting should take a back seat to his dream of playing on the PGA Tour.

Using the same philosophy as Alice Cooper (either drink all day or play golf), the former N’Sync performer wants to establish his dream before the age of thirty. Timberlake hired a golf coach and belongs to a private country club hoping that practicing daily will lower his six handicap to par, “to make it into a pro event - just for a tournament or two.”

Will it be as easy for him to gain an exemption on the PGA Tour as it is for Michelle Wie?

As seen by the consistent stream of sponsor’s exemptions available to Wie, and by the fans who recently mobbed Timberlake as he was playing a round at Carnoustie, all you need is a draw at the gate to be able to receive a nod by the powers-that-be.

Does this mean that celebrities will eventually infiltrate the realm of the PGA Tour or that anyone who has a following can get an exemption into an event? Although the Tour must always seek ways of improving its fan base by getting more people interested in golf, this is not the way to do it. Although a possible “silly season” event might be the way to go for Timberlake, he should not be allowed to compete during the FedEx Cup series with the likes of Tiger Woods and all of the players who have sweated through Q-School just to improve ticket sales.

12 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]

If Justin is given a sponsors exemption that would be fine. Sponsors exemptions are up to the sponsors to invite who they want, and if they want to invite Justin, that's fine.

Permalink 2007-04-19 @ 14:23

Comment from: Reality check [Visitor]

What an idiot! He's a six-handicap for Christ's sake! My guess is that he plays from the foward men's tees at his private country club(read: resort course). I can't believe I am going to say this, but even Michelle's golf resume has got this guy beat.

Permalink 2007-04-19 @ 15:16

Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]

Which would you rather watch at a PGA event; a washed up tour player making a fool of himself or Justin Timberlake doing the same thing?

I think it would be great entertainment.

Permalink 2007-04-19 @ 15:50

Comment from: Stacy Solomon [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners

I would like to see a deserving tour player possibly win a tournament. I don't mind watching Timberlake perform, but to watch him play golf during the season changes my perspective of the tour.

Permalink 2007-04-20 @ 10:17

Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]

GOOD GRIEF, WHAT IF HE HAS A "EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION?"

Permalink 2007-04-20 @ 10:31

Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]

"Comment from: Stacy Solomon [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
I would like to see a deserving tour player possibly win a tournament. I don't mind watching Timberlake perform, but to watch him play golf during the season changes my perspective of the tour."

Timberlake would bring the same thing to a PGA event as Michele Wie does; A bigger gate.

Each PGA tournament is set up to benefit a charity or two so Timberake would help the charities by appearing in the field on a Sponsors Exemption. The average PGA non-exempt player adds no attendance and the Sponsors know this.

If the tour has a problem with this they could add a couple of charity exemptions for their own players.

Permalink 2007-04-20 @ 21:20

Comment from: Spadecat [Visitor]

With Timberlake and Wie we have a celebrity who wants to be a golfer and a golfer who wants to be a celebrity. The two of them should, like the rest of the field, earn their way into a tournament. The integrity of the sport demands it.

Permalink 2007-04-22 @ 08:17

Comment from: jumpy [Visitor]

There is no such thing as a "deserving" tour player getting an exemption. That's why it's an exemption.

Permalink 2007-04-22 @ 16:14

Comment from: Art [Visitor]

Golf used to be a sport with high Integrity. . Life or Golf should not be just about Money. It certainly did not used to be.
Too bad we don't have any Bobby' Jones'es anymore.
Golf is changing, just like society is. It's too bad, but at least some of us can regconize it.

Permalink 2007-04-24 @ 01:20

Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners

Not entirely true, Jumpy. Any tour player that has made it through Q-School, in my opinion, is more deserving than a guy (or gal) not on the tour getting an exemption handed to them.

Permalink 2007-04-24 @ 12:35

Comment from: todd [Visitor]

what sort of handicap would a guy have to have in order to realistically qualify for the PGA ... I know handicap won't make u qualify, just wondering what sort of handicap say a lower 25% earner on the tour would have.
Anyone know?

Permalink 2007-05-10 @ 12:30

Comment from: Steve [Visitor] · http://www.golfconcepts.net

Todd, this might help. I am a PGA of America member with a zero handicap, and I couldn't sniff it. As an example, a local professional here regularly shoots in the mid-60's from 7000 yards, and the best he has done is local winner of the Becks Open in Fort Myers. He is a great player, and plays to a plus 4, but he would be the first to admit he still is not at the level to make it quite yet.
Hope this was helpful.

Permalink 2007-05-20 @ 16:28

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