Will Michelle Get A US Open Exemption?
Thursday, February 9th, 2006Women golf pros like are getting weary of the Michelle Wie exemptions. Teenage star Morgan Pressel says Michelle Wie should have to qualify for the US Women’s Open instead of skating in on exemption status. Several veterans of the LPGA were pretty ticked off in 2004 when Michelle got an exemption to the Open. She ended up tieing for 13th to earn her a trip back in 2005. In that tournament Michelle blew a last round tie for the lead to end 23rd overall. So technically she cannot go back this year since she did not make the top 20.
This is a tough one for David Fay, executive director of the US Golf Association. He claims she is not exempt now and will have to earn her exemption through the LPGA events she plays. Along with being the biggest draw in women’s golf, one reason Michelle received a special invitation in 2004 was because money she would have earned on the US LPGA was equivalent to the top 35 on the money list, which is one of the criteria for being exempt.
So until Michelle is a regular part of the LPGA, officials will always have to do this song and dance to get her into the big tournaments like the US Open. Unless she plays up to the level that is expected of her, then there is no problem. But if she doesn’t play well in the limited events and still gets a special exemption, there are going to be some pretty pissed off ladies on the tour. But they should know by now that money drives the sport, just like every other. As long as it is not obvious she shouldn’t be there, or she plays absolutely terrible in the opening events of the season, expect to see Michelle this year in the LPGA US Open.