Lexi Thompson???

[SteddyGolf]

I deleted this entry.  Seems things went down a path I had not intended.  I take responsibility for that direction of travel.  In the future I will do a better job of clarifying my thoughts and or opinions.  

Edited October 18, 2023 by SteddyGolf
deleting entry

[revkev]

While I appreciate your opinion, I disagree with you on sponsor’s exemptions. They exist for most tournaments, the sponsor is paying huge bucks as a tournament host and a part of what they get is the right to hand out exemptions to whom do ever they please.  It’s one way that people “earn” a spot in a tour event. Sometimes those exemptions go to local high school or college kids BTW. 
 

As to the PGA tour bring open to women on a regular basis wouldn't this open up a huge can of worms? Would men be allowed to qualify for LPGA events then? It’s a tricky matter I think.

 

Finally while she missed the cut Lexi did beat a number of accomplished PGA players and tied Emilio Grillo for 2 rounds. He’s ranked number 35 in the world. I have an ongoing argument with a couple of mini tour guys who think they’d never loose to a woman on a course that was over 7.000 yards long. 
 

Think again…

[cnosil]

14 minutes ago, revkev said:

While I appreciate your opinion, I disagree with you on sponsor’s exemptions. They exist for most tournaments, the sponsor is paying huge bucks as a tournament host and a part of what they get is the right to hand out exemptions to whom do ever they please.  It’s one way that people “earn” a spot in a tour event. Sometimes those exemptions go to local high school or college kids BTW. 
 

As to the PGA tour bring open to women on a regular basis wouldn't this open up a huge can of worms? Would men be allowed to qualify for LPGA events then? It’s a tricky matter I think.

 

Finally while she missed the cut Lexi did beat a number of accomplished PGA players and tied Emilio Grillo for 2 rounds. He’s ranked number 35 in the world. I have an ongoing argument with a couple of mini tour guys who think they’d never loose to a woman on a course that was over 7.000 yards long. 
 

Think again…

Agree with you 100% 

[NM01]

1 hour ago, SteddyGolf said:

Players on the PGA Tour go through a gauntlet of tournaments, mini tours, college and Q School that results in their being able to play on the PGA Tour.  I believe women should be given the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour and that opportunity should include the exact same gauntlet against the same gender neutral competition as all others seeking to earn a PGA Tour Card. 

There are different type of sponsor exemptions. There are certain reserved spots for those in tour who didn’t qualify for the event(restricted to non invitationals and other limited field events and majors). These spots are restricted exemption reserved for pga tour pros, usually given to 2 pros. There are 4 unrestricted that the sponsor can give to whoever they want. Typically up and coming golfers (Spieth got his start on tour this way, as did many others). They go to local pros as well or whoever the sponsor may think can raise awareness of the event.

 

[SteddyGolf]

47 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

There are different type of sponsor exemptions. There are certain reserved spots for those in tour who didn’t qualify for the event(restricted to non invitationals and other limited field events and majors). These spots are restricted exemption reserved for pga tour pros, usually given to 2 pros. There are 4 unrestricted that the sponsor can give to whoever they want. Typically up and coming golfers (Spieth got his start on tour this way, as did many others). They go to local pros as well or whoever the sponsor may think can raise awareness of the event.

 

I’m aware of how sponsor exemptions work. That was really not the main point of my comments but I can see how they could be misleading. I was actually commenting on recent articles advocating for LPGA players to be given PGA Tour status based on their LPGA success.  

[SteddyGolf]

2 hours ago, revkev said:

While I appreciate your opinion, I disagree with you on sponsor’s exemptions. They exist for most tournaments, the sponsor is paying huge bucks as a tournament host and a part of what they get is the right to hand out exemptions to whom do ever they please.  It’s one way that people “earn” a spot in a tour event. Sometimes those exemptions go to local high school or college kids BTW. 
 

As to the PGA tour bring open to women on a regular basis wouldn't this open up a huge can of worms? Would men be allowed to qualify for LPGA events then? It’s a tricky matter I think.

 

Finally while she missed the cut Lexi did beat a number of accomplished PGA players and tied Emilio Grillo for 2 rounds. He’s ranked number 35 in the world. I have an ongoing argument with a couple of mini tour guys who think they’d never loose to a woman on a course that was over 7.000 yards long. 
 

Think again…

My comments were misleading.  I own that.  However, I was not really commenting on sponsor exemptions as much as recent articles advocating for LPGA players to be given PGA Tour status based on their LPGA Tour performance.  
 

In regard to Lexi, she beat no one.  Her score was lower than some at the cut but the bottom line is that score was based on two rounds.  Walking and playing 7000 yards over four consecutive days is the measurement for a single tournament.  Qualifying for the PGA Tour would include performance/success against the field over numerous tournaments.  
 

my comments are/were not about Lexi but more so about the possibility of creating a gender neutral tour were ALL members of the tour must go through the same gauntlet.  

[NM01]

37 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

I’m aware of how sponsor exemptions work. That was really not the main point of my comments but I can see how they could be misleading. I was actually commenting on recent articles advocating for LPGA players to be given PGA Tour status based on their LPGA success.  

Yet you failed to mention any article or other discussions around the internet talking about doing that. 
 

so yeah if you were referring to written articles it would be best to state that and link the articles

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 hours ago, SteddyGolf said:

A few years ago I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer at a LPGA event. Although I was familiar with most of the names on the leader board, prior to this event I didn't really follow the LPGA that closely . What I learned from this experience was women golfers are incredibly talented, they are engaging and represent the sport of golf with honor and distinction.

Fast forward to 2023 and the current story of Lex Thompson. Lexi played in the tournament I worked back in 2017 and while she didn't win the tournament, her talent was undeniable.  However, Lexi or any other person who receives a sponsor's exemption for that matter, has not earned the right to play on the PGA Tour.  Players on the PGA Tour go through a gauntlet of tournaments, mini tours, college and Q School that results in their being able to play on the PGA Tour.  I believe women should be given the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour and that opportunity should include the exact same gauntlet against the same gender neutral competition as all others seeking to earn a PGA Tour Card. 

I am a huge supporter of equal opportunity and equal rights. I hate the thought of anyone being denied an opportunity based on gender. Still, equal opportunity means equal access not equal outcomes. You earn the outcome. I hope one day their will be more female golfers playing on the PGA Tour. The tour would benefit immensely from greater diversity in their membership. However, this diversity should be earned through merit not manufactured through strategy.  

Thankfully her sponsors exemption regardless was not going to to a PGA tour player. It wasn't designated for that so she wasnt taking away an opportunity to say. 

That being said I think its great and I think it should be a yearly thing where they invite at least one LPGA player to take part in. The course is a decent fit, the fall series isnt that huge with big names so it adds to the intrigue of watching (although I didnt watch a second of it). 

Maybe it is a way for the PGA to start leaning into more mixed events in the future too?

[SteddyGolf]

6 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Yet you failed to mention any article or other discussions around the internet talking about doing that. 
 

so yeah if you were referring to written articles it would be best to state that and link the articles

Now I remember why I left the forum to begin with.  I’m not looking for an argument but instead trying to generate a discussion.  There are numerous articles on line.  I saw one pop up in the mygolfspy main page but have yet to read it.  It may or may not be applicable.  

[NM01]

9 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

Now I remember why I left the forum to begin with.  I’m not looking for an argument but instead trying to generate a discussion.  There are numerous articles on line.  I saw one pop up in the mygolfspy main page but have yet to read it.  It may or may not be applicable.  

Not trying to argue, just stating you posted an opinion with no context of what it was based on. Several people pointed out their disagreements and explained how she got in.

you then reply explaining where the context was from and to defend your stance. Great now we understand why you have your opinion, but still haven’t provided the articles you reference for others to read to see if their disagreement changes. 

[SteddyGolf]

3 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Not trying to argue, just stating you posted an opinion with no context of what it was based on. Several people pointed out their disagreements and explained how she got in.

you then reply explaining where the context was from and to defend your stance. Great now we understand why you have your opinion, but still haven’t provided the articles you reference for others to read to see if their disagreement changes. 

I’m sorry I didn’t realize my comments must be written in APA Format with a proper reference page.   I’ll remember that for the future.  

[cnosil]

47 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

My comments were misleading.  I own that.  However, I was not really commenting on sponsor exemptions as much as recent articles advocating for LPGA players to be given PGA Tour status based on their LPGA Tour performance.  
 

my comments are/were not about Lexi but more so about the possibility of creating a gender neutral tour were ALL members of the tour must go through the same gauntlet.  

I have not seen any articles that advocate for the LPGA tour to be a stepping stone to the PGA tour; similar in nature to the Korn Ferry Tour.  Not saying they don’t exist just haven’t seen them.   
 

I thing the PGA Tour is already gender neutral.  There are no rules that prohibit women from entering/qualifying/playing in a PGA event so they do go through the same gauntlet. 

[NM01]

3 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

I’m sorry I didn’t realize my comments must be written in APA Format with a proper reference page.   I’ll remember that for the future.  

You don’t even want to debate your stance which btw the mgs article didn’t infer what you claim. 
 

I didn’t do an extensive search for articles but did find this one and it’s not saying lpga players should have status but rather something like a mixed field event. So far zero evidence that shows anyone is suggesting giving lpga player status in some way different than how any male golfers go about getting on tour.

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2023/10/14/lexi-thompson-misses-cut-at-shriners-childrens-open-but-earns-respect/71183884007/

 

[SteddyGolf]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

I have not seen any articles that advocate for the LPGA tour to be a stepping stone to the PGA tour; similar in nature to the Korn Ferry Tour.  Not saying they don’t exist just haven’t seen them.   
 

I thing the PGA Tour is already gender neutral.  There are no rules that prohibit women from entering/qualifying/playing in a PGA event so they do go through the same gauntlet. 

I wasn’t aware.  Can women go to Q school to qualify for the PGA Tour?

[SteddyGolf]

1 minute ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

You don’t even want to debate your stance which btw the mgs article didn’t infer what you claim. 
 

I didn’t do an extensive search for articles but did find this one and it’s not saying lpga players should have status but rather something like a mixed field event. So far zero evidence that shows anyone is suggesting giving lpga player status in some way different than how any male golfers go about getting on tour.

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/pga/2023/10/14/lexi-thompson-misses-cut-at-shriners-childrens-open-but-earns-respect/71183884007/

 

As I stated, I didn’t read the MGS article.  I said it may or may not apply.  
 

Articles, podcasts, opinion pieces…. They are all out there.  Still don’t get hung up on whether or not you can find them.  The point of my entire post was I believe women should be allowed to play on the PGA Tour and those qualification requirements should be the same for all who wish to give it a go.  Performance on the LPGA Tour should not be one of those pathways for qualification.  

[cnosil]

4 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

I wasn’t aware.  Can women go to Q school to qualify for the PGA Tour?

Sure.  They wouldn’t get the exemptions awarded to players on the various tours since the LPGA or women’s rankings aren’t considered.  Here’s how q school works  

https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/article/tours/pga-tour/news/latest/2023/06/01/how-it-works-2023-pga-tour-q-school-presented-by-korn-ferry-status-eligibility-stages-categories-faq

[SteddyGolf]

4 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Sure.  They wouldn’t get the exemptions awarded to players on the various tours since the LPGA or women’s rankings aren’t considered.  Here’s how q school works  

https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour/article/tours/pga-tour/news/latest/2023/06/01/how-it-works-2023-pga-tour-q-school-presented-by-korn-ferry-status-eligibility-stages-categories-faq

That kind of was my end point and supports my argument. LPGA successful should not be a pathway to earn PGATour status.  Sponsor exemptions can be given to anyone for a single tournament which I’m still not a big fan of.  I understand the math but that doesn’t mean I agree with it.  Steph Curry brings attention to a given event but he also takes up a slot that I (not really) could be given.  While he is a good golfer he (and others) are given a slot based on their celebrity status.  Can you imagine Brad Pitt playing as the starting linebacker for the rams simply because he is Brad Pitt?  

[revkev]

1 hour ago, SteddyGolf said:

My comments were misleading.  I own that.  However, I was not really commenting on sponsor exemptions as much as recent articles advocating for LPGA players to be given PGA Tour status based on their LPGA Tour performance.  
 

In regard to Lexi, she beat no one.  Her score was lower than some at the cut but the bottom line is that score was based on two rounds.  Walking and playing 7000 yards over four consecutive days is the measurement for a single tournament.  Qualifying for the PGA Tour would include performance/success against the field over numerous tournaments.  
 

my comments are/were not about Lexi but more so about the possibility of creating a gender neutral tour were ALL members of the tour must go through the same gauntlet.  

So noted - for the purpose of my argument with my mini tour friends though she did beat people - they keep trying to say there is no way she beats them in a round ever.  That's BS of course.

 

I had not seen any of those articles and didn't notice it in your original post.  You could in theory earn your way onto the tour through a sponsors exemption - finishing low enough in a tournament gets you into the next one, etc., etc.  It rarely happens but I think it has.  I know it's happen through Monday qualifying.  It's very difficult though and extremely doubtful that an LPGA player would succeed in doing it.  in the end the distance gap is too much to conquer week after week.  I enjoy the tournament that the DP tour has where they have players from both of their tours playing the same course at the same time.  It would be nice to have one of those on the PGA tour and a great boost to the women's game.  

4 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

That kind of was my end point and supports my argument. LPGA successful should not be a pathway to earn PGATour status.  Sponsor exemptions can be given to anyone for a single tournament which I’m still not a big fan of.  I understand the math but that doesn’t mean I agree with it.  Steph Curry brings attention to a given event but he also takes up a slot that I (not really) could be given.  While he is a good golfer he (and others) are given a slot based on their celebrity status.  Can you imagine Brad Pitt playing as the starting linebacker for the rams simply because he is Brad Pitt?  

I agree with this.  

[cnosil]

10 minutes ago, revkev said:

in the end the distance gap is too much to conquer week after week. 

Completely agree.   There are players on the LPGA tour that are longer than players on the PGA tour; however those few are the exception and the general LPGA player would fall behind the bottom male swing speed players.   This is why when we see an LPGA player playing a PGA event they accept invitations to events where the length of the course isn’t that demanding.  

[Tom the Golf Nut]

My opinion,

It's not the first time and it won't be the last time. The club's goal is to generate money. They did this with Michelle Wie back when she was an upcoming star on the LPGA and one of the long hitters. If I remember correctly, she actually hurt her wrist or something like that during the match and was on the disabled list for about a year. The event had a lot of controversy back then, but the end goal was achieved. People came out to see the young girl who could hit it 300 yards. People will just want to come out to see someone that is not normally playing on the PGA tour try to compete. Whether it is former basketball player, football player or LPGA player. Taylor Swift has been going to see Travis play football and all the sudden the games are sold out. Heck she's not even playing but the club is generating more gate money and ticket prices went up. The only shot all these young girls have at seeing her is on the jumbotron. 

In the end it's all about the money and not about if they earned a spot or not. Thats why they are limited to inviting a couple. Otherwise, every week would be a pro-am like the big one at Pebble every year.     

[NM01]

3 hours ago, SteddyGolf said:

As I stated, I didn’t read the MGS article.  I said it may or may not apply.  
 

Articles, podcasts, opinion pieces…. They are all out there.  Still don’t get hung up on whether or not you can find them.  The point of my entire post was I believe women should be allowed to play on the PGA Tour and those qualification requirements should be the same for all who wish to give it a go.  Performance on the LPGA Tour should not be one of those pathways for qualification.  

And so far you haven’t provided any link to an article or podcast that states they shouldn’t and should be given status automatically because of their lpga status. So link some for me to read

Edited October 17, 2023 by RickyBobby_PR

[SteddyGolf]

32 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

And so far you haven’t provided any link to an article or podcast that states they shouldn’t and should be given status automatically because of their lpga status. So link some for me to read

Again, opinions of others is not the theme of my post.  It is my opinion which I will be glad to discuss.  I’m not going to entertain a rabbit hole that ventures away from the original reason for my post.  
 

so this is the argument statement, “ equal opportunity means equal access not equal outcomes.  Individual performance determines the outcome. LPGA players should be given access (I think they are) to the PGA Tour but only if the navigate the same gauntlet as do the men”. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, SteddyGolf said:

Again, opinions of others is not the theme of my post.  It is my opinion which I will be glad to discuss.  I’m not going to entertain a rabbit hole that ventures away from the original reason for my post.  
 

so this is the argument statement, “ equal opportunity means equal access not equal outcomes.  Individual performance determines the outcome. LPGA players should be given access (I think they are) to the PGA Tour but only if the navigate the same gauntlet as do the men”. 

I guess I'm missing the bigger picture. She isn't being given status, she's got a sponsors invite. Status would mean X amount of starts or a temporary card which isn't the case. 

More events should give LPGA players a sponsors invite and they should also give a scratch to 1 or 2 handicap and put them in the same group so we can really see the extent of how talented these ladies are.

[Preeway]

I really struggle with people who take issue with a women getting a sponsor's invite to a tournament. It isn't any different that a man who gets a sponsor's invite to a tournament they didn't otherwise qualify for. Hell, Michael Block got a couple this year and people were tripping over themselves to go watch. Lexi should be getting accolades for how well she played and for demonstrating that the best LPGA players can play with the men. They might not win but they can definitely handle their own.

[Josh Parker]

7 minutes ago, Preeway said:

I really struggle with people who take issue with a women getting a sponsor's invite to a tournament. It isn't any different that a man who gets a sponsor's invite to a tournament they didn't otherwise qualify for. Hell, Michael Block got a couple this year and people were tripping over themselves to go watch. Lexi should be getting accolades for how well she played and for demonstrating that the best LPGA players can play with the men. They might not win but they can definitely handle their own.

I agree.  She played well and had she had a slightly better 1st round would have probably made the cut.  Hell, I would take 12/14 FW and 4 missed greens.

[SteddyGolf]

33 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I guess I'm missing the bigger picture. She isn't being given status, she's got a sponsors invite. Status would mean X amount of starts or a temporary card which isn't the case. 

More events should give LPGA players a sponsors invite and they should also give a scratch to 1 or 2 handicap and put them in the same group so we can really see the extent of how talented these ladies are.

I had to go back and read my original post.  I was not clear.  I was not referring to sponsor exemptions as much as I was referring to the possibility that the road to the PGA Tour for LPGA players might one day be solely based on their performance on the women’s tour.  With that being said I am not a fan of sponsor exemptions in general. There are a lot of players out there scratching and clawing to become a professional golfer often living out of the trunk of their car to do so.  Giving a multi-millionaire a sponsor exemption based on their celebrity status does not sit well with me.  Still that was not the reason for my original post but is what most respondents are focusing on.  

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, SteddyGolf said:

I had to go back and read my original post.  I was not clear.  I was not referring to sponsor exemptions as much as I was referring to the possibility that the road to the PGA Tour for LPGA players might one day be solely based on their performance on the women’s tour.  With that being said I am not a fan of sponsor exemptions in general. There are a lot of players out there scratching and clawing to become a professional golfer often living out of the trunk of their car to do so.  Giving a multi-millionaire a sponsor exemption based on their celebrity status does not sit well with me.  Still that was not the reason for my original post but is what most respondents are focusing on.  

I don't believe it will be solely a road to the PGA.  I think it's good for the game and to bring some attention to the LPGA and would love to see them combine the two in some capacity periodically.  Whether individual events or team events. 

[NM01]

3 hours ago, SteddyGolf said:

Again, opinions of others is not the theme of my post.  It is my opinion which I will be glad to discuss.  I’m not going to entertain a rabbit hole that ventures away from the original reason for my post.  
 

so this is the argument statement, “ equal opportunity means equal access not equal outcomes.  Individual performance determines the outcome. LPGA players should be given access (I think they are) to the PGA Tour but only if the navigate the same gauntlet as do the men”. 

Your opinion is based off some supposed articles and podcasts that claim lpga players should skip the line and get status. Yet you have provided no such links to either media. 
 

I did a quick google search “lpga players deserve status on pga tour” and got no articles suggesting that by anyone. The only article closely related is the one I posted that talked about a mixed style event with separate results.

it’s very simple for me or anyone to have a discussion about your opinion if you provide information that has the context that led to your opinion. So please provide some links as I’m interested to see who is suggesting this or to see what they are actually prosposing 

[SteddyGolf]

11 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Your opinion is based off some supposed articles and podcasts that claim lpga players should skip the line and get status. Yet you have provided no such links to either media. 
 

I did a quick google search “lpga players deserve status on pga tour” and got no articles suggesting that by anyone. The only article closely related is the one I posted that talked about a mixed style event with separate results.

it’s very simple for me or anyone to have a discussion about your opinion if you provide information that has the context that led to your opinion. So please provide some links as I’m interested to see who is suggesting this or to see what they are actually prosposing 

 Negative.  My opinion is simply my opinion not based of other articles.  If you want to discuss my opinion I’m willing and able to do so.  
 

i

[GaryF]

I do a lot of reading relative to golf and loosely follow the lpga and have served as a walking scorer for lpga events so I have a lot of respect for their game.  I haven’t run across anything in my readings that would suggest earning their way to the pga based on lpga performance.  I would be supportive of mixed team events and have no issue with a lpga player being given an exemption.  I think for a female to earn their way onto the pga tour would at best be an extreme long shot, so at best, maybe a couple could earn it in the future.  To be clear, if they can qualify or earn their way on I’m all for it but just don’t see it happening.  Certainly not possible for a mass group of women. 

Edited October 17, 2023 by GaryF