Do you think more PGA Golfers willbecome more vocal about Michelle Wie because of the FedEx Points System?

Question

Just last week Stuart Appleby came out and said he thinks Michelle Wie should come back to play the men in a few years when she improves. In previous years golfers were afraid to criticize Wie because no one wants to be seen as an ogre picking on a little girl.
But now with the FedEx Cup, not only is Michelle Wie taking away a spot from a qualified golfer, but also FedEx Cup points. Look at it this way, what if Tiger Woods and Stuart Appleby have a good year but for some reason Woods barely misses the cut for an event, coming right behind Michelle Wie (who would occupy the last available spot).
Let's then say that Tiger loses the FedEx Cup to Appleby by only 2 points. Had Wie not been in the event, Tiger would have won the Cup

I think that alot more golfers are going to become alot more vocal about Wie appearing in PGA events over the coming year. And the sponsors will feel pressure to stop giving her exemptions.

Now just to clarify for some of you:

Michelle Wie has an amazing talent and could wipe the floor easily with me and most men on a golf course.
I fee that sponsors exemptions should be granted only to the top 3 female players in World Rankings. Trust me, having the top 3 women play against the men will be enough of a ratings draw, and i'm sure that female golfers like Lauren Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam (despite her previous attempts) would make for much more competitive golf than Michelle Wie.
I know people say that Wie is good for ratings but seriously, which do you think is better for ratings?:
-- a 17 year old prodigy who never seems to make it past the cut, or the top 3 female players - one of which could find themselves in the final grouping come Sunday morning

..... when it comes to golf ratings, Saturday and Sunday afternoons are considered "primetime" and Wie in her current stage will never make it to primetime.

Answer 1

I agree, the scenario is highly unlikely at the elite player level. It MAY be more viable at the middle tier player level though. I'm not sure about the rules surrounding sponsor's exemptions and whether the PGA would consider Wie eligible to receive FedEx Cup points - and if not, whether those points would go to the "next eligible player under her" - because the system is so new, I have yet to really get it.

However, it does seem to me that the scenario you mention could possibly oust a guy who's on the bubble of making the initial plaoyff cut down to 144, or at least have an effect on who makes it and who doesn't. Personally, I think if it was me on that bubble, it might be a little tough to take.

All things said, I agree. Wie could be a fantastic player, at some point. But right now, it's not even so much about the effect it could have on actual PGA tour players - but really, it's about whether it's even good for Wie at the mental level. She's what, 17? She's potentially one of the best female players to ever play the game, and she's sniffed the cut line once? Let her grow, experience the LPGA (or college), and THEN take that challenge.

Long drives won't do anything if you just three-putt for double from 10 feet.

Wow, that was long winded. Great question.

Answer 2

I think that with each dismal performance more and more PGA golfers will feel freer to say what they are really thinking - that Wie's game is simply not good enough to justify the exemptions she is getting. Continued sponsor exemptions is tantamount to turning the PGA into a freakshow for the sake of ratings. Why not give Mike Tyson, Charles Barkley, and for that matter Charles Manson exemptions too - it would certainly generate interest and they couldn't finish worse than LAST - which is where Wie usually finishes.

In short, she was a phenom at age 14 but at age 18 without a win she is nothing special any more. What she is is a $20m/year hyped-up sports celebrity who really hasn't done anything of note in the last 2 years.

Personally I think she got too much money too fast, her desire to be the best (if she ever had it) will fade, and that she will fall way short of everyone's expectations.

She had game at 14, but simply doesn't have the competitive drive to win - if she did, she would not content herself with week-after-week last place finishes.

Answer 3

Unlikely scenario at first anyway... And I don't think that the top 3 women could make the final grouping... remember what happened to Sorenstam at the International a few years ago... Although Ochoa, Sorenstam, and Webb would be more competitive than Wie

Answer 4

I believe in the free market system. If she wants to play and get beat then so be it. Let her compete wherever she wants. I get fed up with the male golfers who whine and complain about her. Tell them to just give it up and play. Are they threatened by her??? Are they jealous of her popularity and success in getting big bucks for endorsements???? If this FedEx Cup is really what it's cracked up to be, then I say let whoever wants to play, play and we'll know who's the best at the end of the season.

Answer 5

Well: yea if Michele decides to continue in "P.G.A second season after Buick and Master's Cup play off along Tiger Woods
of course ! those are sponsored events very true ok

Answer 6

I think that the pros just hate it that Michelle Wie is playing on THEIR tour. She needs to stay where she belongs on the LPGA tour. Most say its fine because she is taking a sponser's exemption but I think she should leave and stay on her own tour.