While I quite agree (I often wear shorts and golf sandals), it’s my understanding that many of the ultra-private clubs at which the Tour holds its tournaments require slacks and collared shirts, and the Tour considers it more professional-looking to have its pros wear that.
I’ve often wondered what would happen if the next time the USGA holds a men’s Open Championship in California some one of the players filed suit under that state’s Unruh Civil Rights Act requesting an order allowing him to wear shorts. The USGA allows women’s competitors at its events to wear them, and the California statute in question has been very aggressively interpreted to bar ANY discriminatory behavior by a business (to the point of disallowing women’s nights at bars, for example).
But I do have to admit I’d prefer to look at Natalie Gulbis’ legs than Phil Mickelson’s. :eek:
The really silly part is that she tees up in such an event hoping to make the cut. Dammit, if you are in a tournament, and you don’t think you have a chance to win, what are you doing there?? :mad:
And even if she makes the cut, so what? If that’s the extent of your aspirations, where are you intending to hone the Sunday confidence to win tournaments? And WHY oh why do we even bother to pay attention to such an effort?? :smack:
You pro-shorts on the PGA Tour must not remember the US Open at Oakmont when Forrest Fezler changed into shorts on the 71st hole. Granted they were cool shorts for 1973, but good lord, it was an awful sight.
(sorry, I didn’t know who she was until I clicked on this thread and did a google search, but I’m sure a ton of viewers would like to tee off in that driving range…)
Man, I’m gonna have to make a phone call to check on this, as I’m scheduled to play Medinah on the 29th.
IIRC, a few years back the PGA Tour relented and allowed caddies to wear shorts after one especially brutal tourney. The “collared shirt” rule is a tad interesting, as so many of the younger players are wearing mock turtlenecks and other non-traditional golf shirts - and Nike and others are very interested in selling them to hackers. I think many places now just say no cut-offs and “golf attire” - but I’m not sure as I do not frequent the more exclusive and hoity-touty clubs.
If she has any sense, yes, she will go to qualifying school, and she’ll make it through.
In a sense, this year may have been the best thing that happened to her. Everything that could possibly go wrong did (not signing a scorecard? Geez…). She now realizes that all the buzz about her being a sensation and a world beater was just a pretty illusion. Forget Tiger Woods…heck, forget Vijay Singh…because she isn’t within half a light year of that level. The reality for her is going to be fighting for cuts, pulling in modest paydays, and keeping a close eye on the money standings, and if she doesn’t, her career is over.
So transcending the sport, taking over Annika Sorenstam’s crown, taking it to the next level…forget it. As the old saying goes, to finish first, you must first finish, and there’s absolutely no avoiding that lesson for her now.
Imagine if Ian Baker-Finch had that lesson driven home early on. Would he have had 10 years of unrealistic expectations, crushing pressure, and ever-increasing panic when he realized just what a fluke that major was?
Wie is young. This is one year. Maybe Q school will be the nail in the coffin. Maybe it’ll spur her to the stardom that should’ve always been hers. Most likely, it’ll be just another chapter, and she’ll gradually learn the difference between TV stardom and actuallymaking a living on tour. All we can do is watch.
If she has any sense, yes, she will go to qualifying school, and she’ll make it through.
In a sense, this year may have been the best thing that happened to her. Everything that could possibly go wrong did (not signing a scorecard? Geez…). She now realizes that all the buzz about her being a sensation and a world beater was just a pretty illusion. Forget Tiger Woods…heck, forget Vijay Singh…because she isn’t within half a light year of that level. The reality for her is going to be fighting for cuts, pulling in modest paydays, and keeping a close eye on the money standings, and if she doesn’t, her career is over.
So transcending the sport, taking over Annika Sorenstam’s crown, taking it to the next level…forget it. As the old saying goes, to finish first, you must first finish, and there’s absolutely no avoiding that lesson for her now.
Imagine if Ian Baker-Finch had that lesson driven home early on. Would he have had 10 years of unrealistic expectations, crushing pressure, and ever-increasing panic when he realized just what a fluke that major was?
Wie is young. This is one year. Maybe Q school will be the nail in the coffin. Maybe it’ll spur her to the stardom that should’ve always been hers. Most likely, it’ll be just another chapter, and she’ll gradually learn the difference between showboating and actually making a living on tour. All we can do is watch.
IMO her top-15 finish this week - and elsewhere up til now as a part-timer - clearly shows she can compete on the LPGA.
It would be nice if she went to Q-school, got her card, and just got down to business. I guarantee the wins would start to come. Heck, if her PR team plays it right, they can spin it as young beautiful talent vs adversity, overcoming yet another hurdle, blah, blah, blah.