Anika Sorentstam received a sponsor's exemption to play in a PGA event this weekend. Vijay Singh doesn't want her playing with the men in this weekend's tournament.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...enstam_colonial

My two cents: I hope she kicks ass, and shows that the women can play.

Tim H.

This article is a fun read. I like what he has to say, but if you disagree, I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it and getting angry with him anyway. I think she should play.

The Three Stooges

Very funny column. I hope she does well enough to embarrass some of these morons.

Is this the real reason Tiger Woods isn't showing up for this tournament--because for once he wouldn't be the center of attention?

I don't know if she'll be able to show that women can play, but I'm sure that she'll show that she can. Wow - what a player, and a hottie too!

But PhillyFan will think that she's fat... wink

I'd not say she's fat, might encourage her to jog inbetween holes though....

she should just go back to the chic tour where she belongs and not try and take money away from a deserving man. Actually, when do they let the dudes play on the LPGA? oh wait, that will never happen now will it...

Making the Cut... hmmmmmm i'd say WAY YO GO LADY, YOU FINISHED IN THE TOP 1/2. I'm sure you'd all be impressed wth her sub par performance...yawn. Given the choice of watching her golf with the guys or a WNBA game... i'd choose to do some yardwork.

All kidding aside, she's got a chance to win! If all the top 100 golfers drop out, and the other 1/2 get food poisoning.

"Hello, Arizona Animal Control? Someone left their pig out of its sty again..."

AWE JOE, you're coming to visit? What time should i pick you up at the airport... i mean bus station?

I hope Sorenstam makes the cut but doubt she will. From what I understand of the course, it really doesn't suit her strengths. She is a solid, straightaway player while the course favors one who plays the angles. This seems more of a masterful marketing event for the Colonial (one of the lesser tournaments) and for Sorenstam herself. The coverage she gets on the LPGA--where she has been nothing short of phenomenal--pales in comparison to what she's getting due to her participation at the Colonial. And don't forget there will be a woman playing at the Greater Hartford, as well.

~Adam

I'm sure the little girl can make the cut... all she has to do is make sure all the guys have a full beer at all times. Make sure lunch is ready for the 3 days of the tourney.... if thats done, she'll make the cut.

I saw on GMA this morning that some of those who have criticized this are now back-pedaling about their comments. I was getting dressed for work, so didn't hear the whole story, but I think they were talking about Singh who said, "What I meant to say was, If I don't make the cut I hope she doesn't make it."

Tiger is behind Sorenstam. He said, "It's great, BUT - it won't be great if she doesn't play well."

I say, go for it Anika! If she plays "on par" with the men, this will open up a whole can of worms, not only for golf but possibly other sports. And, what about that double-standard? What about men who want to play in a women's league?

It is clear that the oafs who made these comments have never competed with and against women, or they would at least respect her as a competitor.

I also think Boswell is right in his column - they're just scared a woman will play better than them and they will lose some of their masculine pride and ego.

I have no doubt that the average male golfer can beat the average female golfer, and that the average PGA player can beat the average LPGA player, based solely on the length of drives and the strength men tend to have. But that does not mean that every man can beat every woman (please, the way I golf there are 8-year-old girls who can easily beat me) and I think it is great that Sorenstam is willing to challenge herself against the top competitors in the world, male or female. If the men can't handle it, they should take their clubs and go home - especially Singh - I hope he is paired with her so he will leave!

As for a man playing in the LPGA - what would be the point? I don't mean to show disrespect to female golfers, but as I noted above the men and women compete on different levels - there is no challenge for a typical PGA player to play in an LPGA tour (particularly if he is using the ladies tees - as Sorenstam is using the men's). However, if some man gets a sponsor's exemption to play in an LPGA tourny - let him play.

From an ESPN.com article:

as someone who knows nothing about golf, and likes it that way--are the courses for the men's and women's tourneys different?

are the men's courses longer?

if not, I don't see why a woman couldn't and shouldn't compete

I'm no golf expert but I think at every golf course they have "ladies' tees" which are closer to the greens than the regular tees. If I'm not mistaken Annika is going to be using the regular tees like all of the men.

Joe, you're right about the tees. She'll play the course by the same rules as everyone else.

I was intrigued about Tiger's comment. It could be taken several ways -- "one win won't make her equal," "one loss doesn't mean she can't play with th men," or...

From what I understand, the Colonial actually is well-suited to her strengths, and was chosen for that very reason. So perhaps Tiger was pointing that out indirectly?

My prediction: she'll make the cut, finish in the middle of the pack, p*** off a lot of men who don't want to "lose to a girl," but then return to the LPGA.

gj

Re: the tees/courses

The LPGA tournaments are on different courses as the PGA, but basically every course will have at least 3 sets of tees (Ladies, Mens, "pro") and sometimes as many as 5. Annika will be playing the "pro" tees, which makes the course longer than from the mens or ladies tees.


I was listening to sports radio last night and they were debating the issue, which to some extent has been concocted by the press. The media complains when golfers don't speak out (like Tiger Woods' silence on Augusta), yet when Vijay Singh comes out and says what the majority of the players are thinking (according to a guy from the Golf channel who follows the tour)... he gets lambasted.

Apparently Jim Rome came down hard on Vijay on his show, dredging up a 20-year old incident where Vijay supposedly "cheated" by marking an incorrect score on his scorecard, as a way to discredit Singh.

Rome refused to believe Vijay when he claims he was misquoted (“I actually said if I miss the cut, I’d rather she miss the cut as well. I hope she missed the cut because I don’t want to have a woman beat me.”), yet I've read in another source that when they went to the reporter's notes, Vijay did in fact say what he claims he said.

Now all the golfers are tip-toeing around the issue, trying to be as politically correct as possible so as not to attract the wrath of the media.

I don't have a problem with Annika playing, but a circus-like atmosphere has been created. Apparently, the usual 50 acredited media has swollen to 400+ for this event.

As usual, the Canadian speaks the voice of reason. :cool:

I think Annika herself is speaking with the voice of reason:
Meanwhile, Jason Whitlock at ESPN has gone off on Vijay, calling him a \"sexist, brainless pig.\"

WHAT?! :confused:

Now I'm reading that 13 year ols phenom Michele Wie will play on the PGA's developmental circuit. Another Girl Plays with the Boys

Yeah, I read that, too, and I don't like it. She's in a waaaay different situation that Sorenstam -- needs to prove herself first, before treating the LPGA as a minor-league version of the PGA. Bad for the game as to both organizations, IMHO.

I need some more coffee this morning... When I read the title of this discussion, my brain registered, "Should SANTORUM Play with the Men?" Now THAT would be an interesting discussion!

[ May 15, 2003, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: beachjock73 ]

LOL beachjock!

To quote Jay Leno: "Santorum said, 'I have no problem with homosexuals, I have a problem with homosexual acts.'

Maybe he's doing it wrong."

(sorry for the diversion -- back to your regular programming)

[ May 15, 2003, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

hijacker!!!!

MODERATOR!!!

sorry--having some problems on another site with absentee moderators

Vijay Singh has withdrawn from the Colonial tournament. This will go down as one of the most cowardly moves in sports! Whether you think Anna should be playing or not, Vijay backing out after the comments made last week is pure, unadulterated chicken shit!

He came up with an excuse, but I don't buy it. What a jerk. I hope to God she beats so many of the men that spoke out against her.

Isn't that rich? If she does, the bigots who cloak themselves in the rhetoric of "merit" may have to re-think their positions (especially if that position is bent over and...oh, never mind).

WAY TO GO VEJAY! YOU ROCK!

The man has said and done what probably 70-80% of the guys are thinking (only one with balls)... and thats... GET ME A BEER CHICKY...

If she can qualify, let her play. Just don't go making seperate standards for women who play against men. That's any men's sport. If women want to play football, baseball, hockey etc.. I say let em' play but don't change the rules to accomodate gender. Kinda like the military, women wanted in, they got in, but they set up a whole seperate set of pyhsical standards for women. I think they should have at least been held to men's min. physical stardards for qualification. That's just my knuckle dragging opinion.

[ May 20, 2003, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: budge ]

Annika paired with rookies for opening round.

Several thoughts on this topic.

With all the pressure and attention on Sorenstam, it seems like this is a repeat of the "women's lib" events of the 70s. (Not that I think it should be, just that it is shaping into that.) It will be interesting to see if Annika will respond well like Billie Jean did against Bobby Riggs, or falter, like Margaret Court did against him. I hope its the former.

Also, I really dislike Vijay. First, I think as a minority, I would think a little smarter about his comments of who should be allowed to play and who shouldn't. I'm sure there are many around the world who wouldn't want a "dirty Indian" playing in their club.

Second, all these comments from a guy who cheated on his scorecard a few years back. Why is anyone listening to him? He's a cheater and a liar.

When I first heard about this whole issue I thought what is she trying to prove? But after I thought about it, I believe she is doing it mainly to see how good she is. I say if she's good enough and can keep up, why not. If she doesn't make the cut, there's always next year.

I think people are forgetting that she was invited to play this event. The PGA asked her to come and participate. They think it is a good thing for the game, and she obviously wants to check out how good she really is. What is the harm in it all? If one sporting event can set anything back or cause any real harm, then we are in far more trouble as a country than even I have thought.

I hope she plays well and does not succumb to the incredible media pressure. It would be nice to see her play her game and shoot good rounds.

And the playing distance is a little longer, but the tees will not be much different than what she is used to. The pros all play from the pro tees in their events, so it is not some major switch for her.

Of course the PGA watchs a chic in there golfin, that whole masters thingy... let's let the lil girl play in an event that no one shows up to, we get good press... the tour stop gets press it doesnt usually get, and it shuts up that hag who hates agusta (SP)..

Then between hole, monica can get everyone a nice cold beer... If this is such a great event, where's tiger? he's busy at the better tour stop...

As usual, you're completely wrong in so many ways. Most specifically, Tiger isn't playing anywhere this weekend.

The little GIRL is kicking ass today!

Well, i would like to thank the little girl for proving THE best womens golfer is no better than tied for 96th place out of 111. Add to it that this not a major tour stop for the men, hence no tiger and other big names....

Go back to the LPGA where you belong, thanks for the media hype... you gave press to a tour stop that normally wouldnt get any.

Is she gonna serve drinks the rest of the weekend?

She did finish better than 10 men. Should we kick those guys out of the PGA? Missing the cut is a reality that all golfers experience. I believe that your beloved Tiger has even missed a few cuts. I do agree with Tiger that if she wants to really test herself, she should play in several tournaments.

I, for one, don't understand the venom you spew forth, Phillyfan. I think Annika deserves our support rather than treat her as some sort of inferior being. This woman has shown more courage, class, and skill (yes, skill) than any of these guys on PGA will ever possess. She may not have the overpowering drives, so she had to play a different kind of game on a type of course she is not used to. If you ask me, five over par isn't that bad under those conditions.

I hope we get to see Annika, or maybe another LPGA'er, challenge herself in a men's event. Go Annika.

MORE women, yeah... maybe they can finish in the top 91 or so....

This stop was chosen cause it was her best shot. The chic proved me correct in saying.. go back where you belong... you cant compete.. thanks for your services babe!

Anika more than proved herself this week. She did not finish LAST and she showed such class and poise playing before crowds only Tiger is used to. You have major issues about yourself if a women who took a SPONSORS exemption to play in an INVITATIONAL bothers you. Anika is someone all can adimre...You go girl!!!!

yeah she finished like 10th from last. Little girl is better than say 10 of the 113 who played! WAY TO GO BABE!

How'd she shoot this weekend guys? oh wait, she's not playing.... thanks for the press hun, back to the LPGA where you can dominate over the less talented golfers... heh heh.

I'm sure not too many guys in their first PGA tournament make the cut and none that were under the intense scrutiny and pressure that she was. I think if she played a few more tournaments and the novelty of it wore off she could do a lot better.

Have no problem with her playing BUT, if women want to play on the mens tour lets just do away with the LPGA. Equal access for everyone men and women.

Maybe we can do away with Title IX. On the college level we can have one football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, softball team etc.

Let the best players on the team regardless of sex. THAT IS THE ONLY FAIR WAY. Women want their cake and eat it too. Interesting that its in the LPGA bylaws that men cannot play on their tour.

Equality for all not just the women

In their first tour appearance? come on... i know of about 100 who could probably win the tourney... the 10 she finished above would finish in the top 10 of the LPGA.

the little girl is far from a rookie. she hand picked this event and course as the one she could compete in.

This just proved one thing that i've said... chics can't compete with men in these sports.

Thanks for playing babe... where's my beer?

PhillyFan, I have read all of your obnoxious posts and it's painfully clear you have entirely missed the point of her appearing in this tournament. She is a world-class athlete and champion who has excelled in her sport and has already qualified for the Hall of Fame at a very young age. As most world-class athletes do, she has a competitive fire and is always looking for new challenges. She was ASKED to play in this tournament. If you were in her shoes, you would have accepted the challenge too. If you say you wouldn't have, then you don't understand the nature of trying to be the best you can be (which, since you have spent a lot of your time recently spewing venom on this subject, is what we'll all have to assume.)

Even the clueless among us will not shatter Annika's class, grit, professionalism and drive.

PhillyFan, at first, I thought you were just being a devil's advocate and joking around. After reading all of your comments, you seem to not like women. Why? As long as she's qualified to play, she should be able to play. And what's all the comments about her getting drinks for you? I'm assuming you're gay. Do you have a woman at your home serving you drinks? If yes, you better watch what you're drinking. I know you're not saying that's all women are good for...right? What's wrong with you dude? Unless you can come up with a more reasonable comment or unless you can play better than Ms. Sorenstam, I suggest you look at a calendar dude. The year is 2003!

Of course i dont hate ALL women...

Sorry, this girl had no business playing with the men. She proved this by her finish. She's no rookie and she has dominated women's golf. She hand picked the course.... They had her play with 2 rookie golfers. This was her best and only shot at winning. I'm not even factoring in that many of the great golfers did not even attend this golf tourney.

I also know that this is not a poplular golf stop (being Dallas and all)... so what better for the PGA to do than to put a chic in it! Press and airtime, and they remove that whole green jacket smear.

There is a double standard going on here... let's put a few of these guys on the LPGA for a round or 2 and we will see who wins. Why will that not happen? Cause they will dominate the tour. Hell, the BEST chic golfer cant finish higher than 100th place with the men.... I also say the funniest thing in sports within the last 20 years has to be the no defunct WNBA strike. What did they want, more money?????? Listen, the NBA already support these women, financially. Look at the games... no one watches... no one goes. Yet, they want equality.

If equality is what you are all after, get rid of the LPGA, WNBA, women's tennis and throw them in with the men. Why will this never happen... cause they cant compete.

As much as you say that this girl was good for women's golf, i say it proved what I already know.. they cant compete with men. That is not sexist, that is the truth... and this little lady just proved it....

So I guess all of these guys that finished below her need to be kicked out of the PGA based upon one perfomance. Here's the list:

Aaron Barber
Mark Brooks
Joel Edwards
Bob Estes
Geoff Ogilvy
Dan Pohl
James McClean
Kevin Sutherland
Craig Perks
Scott McCarron

Sorry guys, if you can't finish better than a girl, I guess you have to go.

Now, in all seriousness, we all know that, in general, men are superior athletes to women just based upon the differences in physiology. We all know that. So I don't think we need to do away with women's sports. However, when a woman decides to challenge herself against the best in her sport, I think we need to applaud the effort instead of telling her to "go back where she belongs". Would you tell a woman who is striving to become a CEO that she needs to just concentrate on being a receptionist?

I for one want my niece to be watching Annika, and following her example. I hope that she learns to strive for excellence just like Annika, without being told where her place is. Her place is wherever she wants it to be.

Let us not forget, ladies and gentlemen (and Phillyfan), women may lose out at men in test of physical strength, but not necessarily at skill and strategy, and certainly not at endurance. As for Sorenstam's performance - it seems like she choked, not that she was unable. She appears to have been hurt by her short game (and at least one columnist criticized her for play that was too conservative) and actually out-drove the men off the first tee.

There is considerable research that women may actually routinely beat men at endurance sports in the near future - ultramarathons, dog sled races, and the like. According to Runners' World (link to article below), some are predicting that women will overtake men in all Olympic distance running by mid-century, because women are improving faster than men.

The point is, you cannot compare all women's abilities to all men's with one performance by one woman in a PGA event. Male golfers routinely miss the cut, have bad rounds, etc. and are still considered elite. Apparently, Sorenstam beat one major winner in the field at the Colonial. The idea that all men are better at sports than all women, and that women should stay with their little leagues that "no one" likes (as if Baseball or football were embraced by the American public in their first years as professional sports), is pure sexism.

When women have had the same opportunities and encouragement as men in sports, then maybe we can compare real physical abilities. But that will take at least another generation.

Runners' World Article

Oh, poor, POOR Vijay Singh...I feel sooooooooooo sorry for what he's going through.

Vijay still being Singhled out--Questions persist about Annika criticism

"I'm going back where i belong"--- the little girl golfer...

How'd she do? at least she beat 11 of the 100 and some there! LOL Progress! Hands down the best chic golfer in the world! If she keeps playing hard, she MIGHT make the cut one of these years on the real tour... nah...

Now, lets all hold hands and sing a song... then celebrate the fact that she proved she couldnt compete on the PGA tour. Rightfully, she is back golfing on the LPGA where she has a chance to win.

...and the guy with an undoubtedly tiny flute plays the one note he knows....yawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn...