Sorenstam Shurgs Off Statement

ESPN ^ | 5-15-03 | AP

[kjam22]

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 Updated: May 15, 9:14 AM ET
Sorenstam: Singh entitled to his opinion

Associated Press

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Annika Sorenstam doesn't think of herself as a pioneer, and she isn't listening to Vijay Singh.

Whatever happens next week in the Colonial, the first woman in 58 years to play in a PGA Tour event says she just wants to see how she stacks up against the world's best.

"I'm testing myself, but I'm not trying to prove anything to anybody,'' she said Wednesday. "That's not why I'm doing this. This is for myself. ... I'm coming to a stage that's totally different than I'm used to: tougher course, tougher competitors, all the attention. It's just going to be so different.''

Still, she's not resigned to playing a few rounds just to make her mark. She'll play to win, and she thinks she can.

"I believe so, if all the stars are lined up right,'' she said.

[kjam22]

The only way she wins is if all the stars stay home.

[Hildy]

Why are men so upset. If they KNOW how bad she's gonna do why is everyone whining abou it. I'm curious, as she is, to see how she does. I'm rooting for her. I agree with Tiger Woods when he said if she does really badly, she'll actually hurt women's golf. She has a lot of pressure on her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! GO ANNIKA!

[kjam22]

We just see it as more liberal, PC, garbage. More double standard principles that allow a LPGA that exludes men and a PGA that is expected to not exclude women.

This isn't about golf, and she's just being used as a pawn.

[Bikers4Bush]

Because she never went through the qualifying process to play in the PGA and is competing on an exemption.

In addition the LPGA specifically forbids men from playing on that tour.

This is a mans tour, she should not be playing at the cost of one of the men being able to play. She is in effect taking the spot of a player who qualified to play on the tour without having to do any work.

Sounds a lot like affirmative action to me.

[Blue Screen of Death]

I wonder if the LPGA would object if professional male golfers decide to play in their league and walk away with all the top pay checks. It just seems to me that if they are going to have women in the PGA, it ought to be ok for men to compete for the money in the LPGA.

[kjam22]

When this thing is over.... we'll read about what a fierce competitor she was. That she fought to the very last hole. That her "golf bag was empty" when she lost. That she is a hero and America should be proud of her. Then she'll say in an interview.... "you know... the competition was so fierce that I really don't remember anything after the 3rd hole."

[el_texicano]

"she just wants to see how she stacks up..."

Hmmmmm...one should be careful how they write this stuff. She is pretty nice looking.

[cryptical]

So does she get to play off the pink tees?

[jpl]

This could be vey series.

[Enterprise]

You forgot - "She left it all on the golf course."

[kjam22]

yep

[blau993]

I think it was a casual shurg -- nothing series.

[kjam22]

Yep... the one part I didn't "cut n paste" and I typo it. Oh well...

[hchutch]

The way I see it, they see a no-win scenario:

1. She does bad, and it looks like a cheap PR stunt, and they all look like fools, plus Martha Burk is going to throw some sort of fit, creating more of a spectacle.

2. She does good, and they will never be able to live it down. I mean, losing to Tiger Woods is one thing - that guy just dominates, but losing to a GIRL? That would probably shatter the egos irreparably.

[Howlin]

How can they EVER look good when they are demanding from the PGA something their very own bylaws prevent, namely men in their own tournaments.

I don't think she'll make the cut, but if she does, ALL the men should demand to play in the PGA -- just to show what hypocrites they are.

Then the men can win ALL the money in both tournaments.

[LurkedLongEnough]

competing on an exemption

Tell us more about the exemption. Is it correct when ESPN Golf reports:

"Sorenstam is taking one of a dozen sponsor's exemptions from Colonial, an exemption that otherwise would have gone to a tourney non-qualifier, or J.P. Moneybags' errant nephew, or one of the college buddies of one of the stars who'll be playing there next week."

It's quite amusing that Annika's mere appearance has the psychological power to make some male golfers lose before they start the first round.

The same ESPN article goes on to remark:

"The same golfers who oppose Sorenstam's exemption never seem to raise their voices over any of the genuine frauds who occasionally are invited to "round out" the field at these tour stops..."

Fear is the only possible reason for male players to oppose her inclusion, what is the big deal if she's "inferior" anyway?

[kjam22]

Yep... having tiered competitions is okay. Just not tiered by sex or race. PGA and the PGA Division II. 100 meter dash I, II, and III. We should do that with all sports. Erase these gender lines. May the best athelete win and compete at a level where they can be successful. If they set up enough of those PGA tiers I might even make some money doing it :)

[Hildy]

You see a guy losing to a girl as a no-win situation. That's not how I see it.

[RJL]

Whatever happens next week in the Colonial, the first woman in 58 years to play in a PGA Tour event says she just wants to see how she stacks up against the world's best.

Well said Annika.

[dvwjr]

Then why should men be restricted from playing in the LPGA? This way all women golfers in the LPGA could have the oportunity to see how they stack up against the world's best...


dvwjr