11/05/24
May 24, 2003
The Colonial should invite the LPGA champion to play each year, suggests Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins.
...or, after a year or two, it could be about as instrumental in generating interest as interleague MLB play. Yawn.
posted by Nikan at 12:31 AM on May 25, 2003
Good comparison, but I think this would only get better as the top women become acclimated to the PGA's style of play. If Sorenstam were to take a year off and play nothing but PGA events, I think she'd be competitive. Her biggest problems in Fort Worth weren't the drives; she didn't have the short game to take advantage of solid birdie opportunities.
posted by rcade at 08:15 AM on May 25, 2003
I think that it would quickly become a sideshow. Sorenstam proved that she could compete, but she has a way to go before she becomes a threat to win. If it's just her, then it's Sorenstam against the field and that's a big long shot. IF another top LPGA pro wants to play and a sponsor wants to extend an exemption, then I'm all for it. But it needs to be a mutual decision for the time being and I think that an automatic invitation carries too much implicit coercion.
posted by offsides at 07:00 AM on May 26, 2003
The ladies are going to catch up, and when they do, there will be one tour. The Colonial would be smart to get out in front of this. It's going to happen, and it won't take as long as 20 years
posted by outside counsel at 11:00 AM on May 27, 2003
The Colonial should not invite the LPGA Champion every year, what a waste. While Annika was a fine representative, she clearly demonstrated that there is a tremendous difference between men and women golfers. The Colonial hosting an LPGA event is great, but let's not see another silly event on an annual basis.
posted by Mark H at 04:29 PM on May 27, 2003
This would be great marketing for the Colonial, an event that seems to recede a little more each year into the shadow of the previous week's Byron Nelson in Dallas.