Wie's (New) World Ranking

[iacas]

Given the recent news that the Rolex Women's World Rankings will be revised and that Michelle Wie will plummet to 7th (from 2nd), where would you place Michelle Wie in the world rankings if you could?

My answer: right where she was: second. I didn't agree that she should be second earlier this year (the proof is in the podcasts), but then again I didn't agree anyone named "Yuri Fudoh" should be fourth.

And that was before Michelle finished top-five in FOUR consecutive women's majors. Were a male pro to do that, their praises would be sung from here to eternity. The fact is that only five or six people beat Michelle in those tournaments. Strength of field, quality of performance, amount of pressure - she's played better than anyone.

Obviously, if she had the chance to play a full LPGA schedule, she'd be way up there. While I'm not willing to say she's the second best female golfer in the world right now (though she does make a compelling case), I do think she's well ahead of 7th, and her performance in the women's majors backs that up.

P.S. I'm going to write something up for the site on this soon.

[ragontona]

You know that I'm a Wie guy, but I don't know if I'd have her at second. I haven't seen the rankings, but I imagine that Sorenstam remains at #1. I suppose I'd have Karrie Webb at #2, and probably Ochoa at #3, with Wie at the four spot.

Through no fault of her own, I'd still have to hold the lack of events against her. Her finishes in the majors bears acknowledgement though -- thus giving her the four spot, which is still pretty darned respectable.

I think Webb's resurgence has her firmly as the second-best golfer in the world, right now. And Ochoa just seems to be on the first page every time I pay attention.

This all goes out the window though, if Wie manages to bounce back and win the British. No doubt, she's easily #2 then.

[Rafcin]

I think 3rd would make sense - at least Webb has 3 wins this season, where Michelle has 0. Top 10's are nice, but wins should be rewarded....

[iacas]

BTW, here's the article I mentioned.

[Xt1ncT]

To me it doesn't seem right that they divide by 35 tournaments as a minimum. IF you have to play a certain number of events to get ranked then that should be the divisor.

It smacks of unfairness to me - wins are important, but look how many more points a major gets in the mens rankings than the other tournaments.

Once she gets her full card and a couple of wins - that will surely come - she'll be where she derserves to be.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Xt1ncT

To me it doesn't seem right that they divide by 35 tournaments as a minimum. IF you have to play a certain number of events to get ranked then that should be the divisor.

The counter-argument to that is that someone (like Wie, perhaps) who can "pick and choose" to play the big tournaments can rack up a lot of points without winning or playing a consistent schedule.

Almost every full-time pro will play 35 events over two years. Even Annika plays that many, and she's got a very light schedule, typically.

I should point out that I don't think any of this will affect Wie - it won't make her any less popular with sponsors or fans. The only thing dropping to seventh or so might do is ease the pressure and criticism she gets from her detractors.

[Xt1ncT]

Originally Posted by iacas

I should point out that I don't think any of this will affect Wie - it won't make her any less popular with sponsors or fans. The only thing dropping to seventh or so might do is ease the pressure and criticism she gets from her detractors.

True, I also don't think to be world number one is necessarily the right goal. The goal should be to be as good as possible and to win as many tournaments as possible, that in turn takes care of the world ranking.

[Thrash13]

Originally Posted by ragontona

You know that I'm a Wie guy

I thought you were in the middle as far as Wie goes? Did all that Wie hatred a couple weeks back make you a bigger Wie fan? Interesting.

Originally Posted by ragontona

I haven't seen the rankings, but I imagine that Sorenstam remains at #1. I suppose I'd have Karrie Webb at #2, and probably Ochoa at #3, with Wie at the four spot.

This is exactly how I would have it as well. Wie would probably be #2 if she played in all the LPGA events, but we have no proof as to how she would actually finish in all those other tournaments. I'm going with what I know, and Webb and Ochoa have had great years in the win column. So they get my vote over Wie for now.

Her 7th place ranking is a little out there though. I can't imagine six female golfers being ranked ahead of the teen phenom.

[ragontona]

Originally Posted by Thrash13

I thought you were in the middle as far as Wie goes? Did all that Wie hatred a couple weeks back make you a bigger Wie fan? Interesting.

Oh yeah, definitely. I was straddling the fence on the Wie thing a while back, but after defending her in post after post, I ultimately realized that there is no middle ground.

So, I'm all for seeing her do well and fulfilling all that potential. She's scary talented.

I mean, I believe she's carrying a 1-iron this week. How many players on the LPGA are rockin' a 1-iron?