Archive for May 17th, 2006

Campbell Chimes in on Michelle Wie and the PGA

Wednesday, May 17th, 2006

Now the men are starting to give their opinions about this whole Michelle Wie and "playing in men’s tournaments" thing.  Michael Campbell, defender of the men’s U.S. Open said, "Michelle Wie is obviously a wonderful talent," he said. "She hits it as long as the guys. But she needs to prove to herself - more so than to anybody else - that she can win on the ladies tour before she can come out and actually make a cut on the US Tour or the European Tour.”

 

He is absolutely right. If these men’s tournaments didn’t see higher ratings and more money when Michelle shows up, you know damn well they wouldn’t even consider her playing until she has proved yourself on the women’s tour.  And then to give her $500,000 or so just to show up only throws more fuel on the fire.  Michelle could make more money than the top three women combined just for appearing at these men’s events, let alone getting close to winning one.

 

Wouldn’t it be great if you could be a fly on the wall in the men’s locker room of the PGA and listen to what they really say about Michelle Wie trying to horn in on their tournaments? No doubt, just as Campbell said, she has terrific talent-but all this before she’s even won the women’s tournaments is a little over-the-top. Actually, it would be even more fun to be a fly on the wall backstage at the LPGA listening to what they really say. Maybe one day this will all be routine and the top ladies will regularly play in the men’s tournaments. But for now, it will be fun to see how this shakes out this year.