What If Michelle Wie Had Won the LPGA Championship?

[FrankoSport]

Greetings ...

What if Michelle Wie had won the LPGA Championship? Indeed, what if she were to win any official event in 2006?

Well, maybe after such a victory, the LPGA would then grant Ms. Wie regular membership. However, since the win would have been as a non-member, then Michelle would have been moved to the top tier of the non-exempt list for 2006, and then have ONLY a one-year exemption for 2007 and NOT the full exemption of three years (regular events) or five years (grand slam majors). A three or five year exemption would be given ONLY IF she were ALREADY a full-fledged member, and NOT UNTIL 2007 would she be eligible to receive full exemptions for any official wins.

Click-on here: 2006 LPGA Exemptions (Adobe PDF File)

If the LPGA used the PGA Tour's victory rules, then Michelle could, after a 2006 win, start 2007 with a full three (or five) year exemption firmly in place. As a comparing example, there are rumors that 2005 US Open Michael Campbell may agree to join the PGA Tour full-time in 2007. If he does so, he would be exempt thanks to his 2005 US Open win. Furthermore, if Campbell desires to, he could stay on the PGA Tour thru 2010, when the US Open exemption finally expires.

If the LPGA decided NOT to award membership to Ms Wie after a 2006 win, then she would start 2007 once again as a non-member, and LOSE the opportunity to use the exemption. In contrast, a non-member such as Michael Campbell could win a PGA Tour event, stay a non-member for the remainder of the current year plus the next calendar year, then join the PGA Tour afterwards - provided that the exemption period for the particular event won had not yet expired.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport

 

[Brian Manzella]

She ought to play in Lady MAjors ONLY.

And play with guys the rest of the time.

 

[tongzilla]

And play with guys the rest of the time.

I respectfully disagree. I think she needs to learn how to win, and know how winning feels like. Playing in more ladies events will help her do that.

 

[tourdeep]

Michelle is only 16.

If she had won, the sponsors would continue to pursue her as they are today, but the ante would be raised. Michele would have sealed her position as today's woman's ambassador to golf.

Agreed that it helps to feel what it's like to win, but playing with the big boys places her in a position to feel what it's like to play each and every shot as unique, and build on that mental toughness in a much different environment. This mental preparation taken back to the women's tour could be a huge positive. Annika got a small taste of it, and I really feel it elevated her already mental toughness to a newer level.

She has knocked on the door more than several times on the women's tour, including last week. She has kicked butt in placement versus her peers while playing much less golf. Giver her time to work on her putting and whe will dominate winning on the ladies tour, and maybe, just maybe, a competitve position on the men's.

She will break through to the other side in a big way...

 

[birdie_man]

Man she almost won 2 majors already....she's only 15 or some junk.

I think she can compete with the men....she hits it as long as a lot of them so what's the difference?

Then again tho, if she were to stay with the LPGA she could be one of the best ever.....and make the LPGA more popular.

 

[metallion]

Man she almost won 2 majors already....she's only 15 or some junk.

I almost had 3 holes-in-ones in a single round and almost made an albatross on one of the hardest par fives you've ever seen.

Almost is not good enough.

So I am with Tong. And as respectful.

First thing's first.

But she'll do a very good job competing on the PGA Tour - in time.

 

[birdie_man]

She's 15 years old!

She was tied for the lead or w/e in majors twice! (and how many has she played in so far?)

Wasn't she??

Good god....

She's 15....she'll win.

Assuming she can play until she's 45 (which is prolly at the least) she has 30 more YEARS.

120 more majors.

 

[tongzilla]

Tiger won (not almost win) 3 "Majors" before turning pro.

 

[birdie_man]

OK....

That is exceptional.

But so is this.....

I dunno how yall can even naysay her yet.....

Hell.....ppl would've naysayed the hell out of me if I went back in time in a time machine and said Hogan would win as many times as he did (he didn't start winning until he was 30-something).

...

I'm not a big Wie fan or anything.....I just am looking at this.....and I think it's obvious that what she's done is a big deal.....even if she hasn't won. 15 years old or w/e....

She'll get er done eventually (even with Lead).

K here's my stance before I get into this anymore......I think she can (i.e. is able to....i.e. has the ability/potential to) compete with the men, eventually (doesn't HAVE TO be right now this minute...but hell if she wants to and thinks she can why stop her? Believing is more than half the battle anyway....).

 

[Biffer]

Michelle said it's what she wants to do and that's all that counts. I agree with her statement. We should all live our lives the way we want to, not how others think we should live life. Also, if the sponsors want her in their tournaments, she should be allowed to play. She's good for golf, all of golf. I can forsee her following Tiger's lead in giving back to the community on a grand scale. I'm looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes with her great talent, no matter where she plays. Go Michelle!!!

 

[Perfect Impact]

A pro friend of my went to Havre de Grace to witness the ladies last tournament: he stood at the lst tee and saw all of them.

Besides her golf, he lost his breath at her sheer stunning beauty. THAT is a package: 16 yo, tough, confident, athletic, supple, tall...WOW.

 

[metallion]

Amazing

She's 15 years old!

Very cool. And she turns 17 this year. How does she do that?

Regardless. My personal opinion: She is great.

 

[tongzilla]

Guys, I'm not saying she should not play men's tournaments.
I'm saying she should play (and win) more LPGA events, not just the majors.

 

[TexasAg]

Guys, I'm not saying she should not play men's tournaments.
I'm saying she should play (and win) more LPGA events, not just the majors.

Well, when she has status on the LPGA tour, then she can. But until then, she's playing as many LPGA events (7 I think) as she's allowed.

 

[birdie_man]

Very cool. And she turns 17 this year. How does she do that?

Regardless. My personal opinion: She is great.

15....16......whoopty doo....same junk.

...

I mean....like I said I'm no "Wie fan" or w/e.....in fact.....I'm pissed that she's way better than me to tell you the truth......but I think she can do what she wants if that's what she wants to do....(and she does have the potential).

 

[birdie_man]

Guys, I'm not saying she should not play men's tournaments.
I'm saying she should play (and win) more LPGA events, not just the majors.

I agree.

She'll be one of the best (seems to be close to there already as weird as that sounds)....and learn lots.....and still has potential to play with the men in the future, if she still has the desire to. No rush.

 

[solarbear]

Guys, I'm not saying she should not play men's tournaments.
I'm saying she should play (and win) more LPGA events, not just the majors.

Agree wholeheartedly. The girl can swing, unless Leadbetter ruins her. What she needs to learn is to win. The way she crumpled over the last few holes last weekend showed she doesn't know how to win yet. She can swing but can she win. She needs to take a lesson from Tiger, who learned to win on every level he played on before moving on. It isn't Tiger's swing that makes him so great, but fact he knows how to win. Appearing in tournaments isn't the same as winning them.