Annika Meets the Boys at Colonial [Finishes Day +1]

CBS Sports/USA Network and PGA.com ^ | May 22, 2003 | Jim Nantz

[Bob J]

Well, yes. If done correctly, her present index and all the variables, average best scores, course difficulty and tees, etc., would have been figured in prior to the handicap being established on the first tee.

It's not a perfect system but does establish continuity for players of varying skill levels.

[Jim Noble]

Make that MOST posting here do not understand the difference. I am impressed as hell with the round she played out there. But that does not mean she somehow now "belongs."

I shouldn't jump in at post #910, but isn't the question of whether or not she "belongs" decided by a year's record on the men's tour?

If she qualifies, she does belong, if she doesn't, she doesn't.

This is the central flaw in Title IX. Let all Division One "first teams" be open to men and women both, under the same rules.

Any female athlete who makes it, fine. Any who don't, no $$.

What could be more fair than that?

[NittanyLion]

Interestingly, despite the additional pressures of competition, the 71 was the same score she shot when practicing with Tiger (who posted a 61 under the same conditions).

61???

Wow.

[NittanyLion]

Annika is relying on the 10 shot rule to make the cut, but if she doesn't try and make birdies and play 'USGA style' she may be going home early..

She won't be within 10 shots, so she'll need to be tied for 70th or better. Right now she's tied for 79th.

[kevkrom]

How come not making long putts is an excuse for being over par, but not getting the ball closer to begin with not a factor?

I'm not making any excuses -- they way she played today, 71 was a reasonable score. The discussion on the putting was specifically related to the talk about averages on long putts. I absolutely agree that conservative play left her with very few birdie chances today.

[Teacher317]

You're welcome! =^)

[daylate-dollarshort]

Normal!

Why is it that when a man cheats on his wife women all refer to him as that dirty, rotten, scumbag SOB!

But when a women steps out on her husband they say "what do you suppose that dirty rotten scumbag SOB do that drove her to another man!"

[cschroe]

Unless you've already posted those requirements, it's more like vuja de (that feeling that you've never ever been here before :>)
Am unaware of any 'guidelines' such as ArneFufkin mentioned. Just asked the club Steward. He said there are none for the club.

from http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2003_pga_exempt.html

12. Sponsor exemptions (a maximum of eight, which may include amateurs with handicaps of 2 or less), on the following basis: 
A. Not less than two sponsor invitees shall be PGA TOUR members not otherwise exempt. 
B. Not less than two of the top 35 finishers and ties from the last Qualifying Tournament, as well 
as 2-15 from the 2002 Nationwide Tour money list, if not all of them can otherwise be accommodated. (Note: PGA TOUR members may receive an unlimited number of sponsor invitations. Non-TOUR members may receive a maximum of seven per year). 

[over3Owithabrain]

I wouldn't know. My wife is wonderful is a lot of ways, but being a great cook is not one of them :)

[paul51]

I hit a ton of fairways, and make a lot of putts. Drive the ball about 300 yards when I catch it right, usually in the fairway

You're killing me

[ArneFufkin]

It's also true that Annika Sorenstam is probably as good or better than a lot of the men on the PGA tour

Nonsense.

[kevkrom]

Now, if Mom had an Index of 20, and good son had an index of 20,and both played from the blues she'd get some strokes because the course rating/slope would be higher for her (as a woman) than him, therby giving her a higher handicap for that day. Correct?

Nope -- when I say "handicap", I mean handicap index. It doesn't matter what course or tees you compute it from, the HI is the "neutral" number that is used to compare golfers to each other. If Mom usually plays the red tees and Son usually plays the blues, then Mom probably is scoring lower per round than Son if the HIs are equal (assuming that reds have a lower rating [almost certainly] and slope [typically]).

Now, if both typically shot 20-over from their usual tees, Mom would have a higher HI because she plays the easier course.

[kjam22]

Something about watching a person aim for "par" in PGA event reminds me of that movie Tin Cup.

[ewing]

9 out of 10 times on the PGA tour if you play the low risk game that Annika did today, a player will be going home on the weekend.

Remember tomorrow Annkia will be teeing off last with all of the spike marks on the greens and no morning moisture to slow her mid iron approaches..I may not have to eat that steaming plate of Garafalo just yet! (after I predicted 75-75)

[NittanyLion]

Remember tomorrow Annkia will be teeing off last with all of the spike marks on the greens and no morning moisture to slow her mid iron approaches..I may not have to eat that steaming plate of Garafalo just yet! (after I predicted 75-75)

I predicted 76-78...whoops.

[presidio9]

That's what I meant by "trust me." Thanks cschroe.

[KellyAdmirer]

LOL, well, wish I was more consistent. Can't have everything. Don't play as much now. That Sorenstam is consistent like a robot.

Roughest course I ever played was Quaker Ridge in Westchester, a PGA-style course. Tap the ball a touch too hard on some of those sloping greens and you are by the hole, off the green and ten yards down the fairway. That's why her putting impressed me, for someone who usually plays on easier LPGA greens.

[kevkrom]

Annika is relying on the 10 shot rule to make the cut

The "10 shot rule" only applies to majors.

[over3Owithabrain]

I do think she played fine today - decent for a pro man, excellent for a pro woman :)
Considering the pressure and the first-time, she acquitted herself well. If hitting fairways and greens is conservative play, sign me up!

[Bob J]

What's the term for men that are so insecure in their own masculinity that they won't give a woman credit for anything other than a well cooked meal?

I would agree that there may be a few here who want to see Annika blow it, but, you're refusal to objectively analyze Sorenstam's performance is equally partisan.

The fact is she played well for her game and on this course but is not scaring any of the leaders (so far). Some day she might, but not today and not tomorrow with the game she took with her to the course this morning.

It matters not. What we saw today was a media event and the only appropriate analysis is in that context. The media will fawn over her, other players will make pithy comments, feminists will drone on about how it is the dawn of a new age while omitting the fact that she ended up in the bottom 20% of the pack on the easiest course the PGA has to offer. When it is over, the reporters will forget about it, Annika will go back to the LPGA, and extremists on both sides will argue minutia for years to come.