Archive for the ‘Exemptions’ Category

Looks like some tournament officials are starting to wise up and see the forest through the trees.

Officials at Annika’s Ginn Tribute did not seek an exemption for Michelle this year. Gee… could it be because of the circus from last year’s tournament?

If you don’t remember last year’s tournament, here is a Reader’s Digest version of what happened…..

Michelle withdrew from the 2007 Ginn Tribute, citing wrist problems as the cause. She called it quits after the 16th hole of her opening round. Her host, Annika Sorenstam, was not amused. Something smelled rotten in Denmark.

Wie, being only two shots shy of the LPGA’s “88″ rule (players get banned from exemptions for a year if they shoot an 88 or higher) got out in the nick of time. Two more bogies would have kept her off the tour for a year. Thank God for wrist problems, huh?

The wrist suddenly got better however. Michelle was seen practicing at the LPGA Tour’s next stop. Hmmm…

This year, tournament exemptions went to LPGA rookie Ashleigh Simon from South Africa and Duke golfer Alison Whitaker.

The tournament takes place at RiverTowne Country Club from May 29-June 1.

You have got to love those sponsor exemptions, especially if you are Michelle Wie (or John Daly!) Michelle has just accepted yet another sponsor exemption – the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic to take place in a suburb of Toledo starting July 10th.

As you may remember, Michelle’s wrist troubles surfaced again a few weeks ago, forcing her to withdraw from the Safeway tournament.

The fact that the tournament is not til July should give Michelle time to nurse that wrist back to good health. Oh, and on another note…what is with some of these tournament names? The “Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic?” What will they think of next….