Wie Debuts at Third in World Rankings
Posted February 21st, 2006 by Guest Author
The first ever Women's World Rankings have been released, and Michelle Wie is third? In the words of many, "WTF?"
The first comprehensive world rankings system for women has been released. As you would expect, Annika Sorenstam tops the list. Her place atop the list was a foregone conclusion, but the placement of some other gal golfers has many scratching their heads in confusion.
Most notably, rookie Michelle Wie occupies the third spot on the list with a 9.24 points Average, sandwiched between Paula Creamer (second place with 9.56) and Cristie Kerr (6.94).
Creamer and Kerr combine for eight career LPGA victories while Wie has a big goose egg in professional golf. Kerr voiced her opinion on this matter, saying "Michelle is a sweet girl, she really is, but she hasn't done anything worthy of being ranked so high." While this may seem true, the Women's World Golf Ranking doesn't rank players the same way the men's system works.
The major difference are that all women (both amateur and professional) can be ranked after playing only 15 events on the LPGA, LET, JLPGA, KLPGA, ALPG, or LGU (as opposed to 40 events for the men's ranking system). The system still uses a two-year rolling period, and Wie's placement in some of the LPGA majors in which she's played have served her well.
The 15-event rule has also allowed infrequent players eligibility into the rankings, including Wie. Additionally, the most recent 13 weeks of tournament play are weighed more heavily than previous tournaments, which goes a little towards explaining why Creamer placed ahead of Kerr despite having significantly fewer career victories.
Other notables on the list include:
Rank Player Points Average Events 1 Sorenstam, Annika 18.47 41 2 Creamer, Paula 9.65 35 3 Wie, Michelle 9.24 15 5 Kerr, Cristie 6.94 48 6 Miyazato, Ai 6.58 55 10 Inkster, Juli 4.11 42 18 Gulbis, Natalie 3.38 57 28 Kim, Christina 2.86 62 (Complete rankings available here.)
Rankings systems are always hotly contested, debated, argued, and dismissed. It remains to be seen whether this ranking system, like its counterpart for men, will at least be considered mildly accurate. Placing a career non-winner in the third spot gets it off to a dubious start.
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Posted 22 Feb 2006 at 2:02am #
When did the BCS start running the LPGA Tour?
Posted 22 Feb 2006 at 2:23am #
The Rolex ranking makes the BCS look bulletproof. I smell a media play to make a Michelle Wie Paula Creamer rivalry.
Posted 22 Feb 2006 at 11:09am #
Mmmm, "Michelle Wie... sandwiched between Paula Creamer... and Cristie Kerr...". Love to see that:)
Posted 22 Feb 2006 at 11:18am #
With Michelle the LPGA ranking isn't that important, I'm sure she is more concerned of her rating in the PGA.
Posted 23 Feb 2006 at 8:56am #
Michelle Wie may want to compete on the PGA Tour, but her game does not compare to Tiger, Ernie and Vijay. There are other golfers that she can model her game after if she continues competing against the men.
Posted 25 Feb 2006 at 10:00am #
Tiger demolishes Ames, Paula Creamer changes the business of gal's golf, and Michelle Wie is ranked THIRD in the world? Also the media's distance bias, Daly and Olazabal on the HOF ballot, and Nikki of BBV infamy.
Posted 28 Feb 2006 at 9:34am #
The Accenture Match Play Championship once again showed golf fans that rankings don't really matter.
Posted 07 Mar 2006 at 9:19am #
The debut of the newly-released women's world rankings was controversial at best. I'm here to tell you the good, bad, and ugly.
Posted 08 Mar 2006 at 4:41pm #
She's now at #2...
You have got to be kidding me, she hasn't done squat!
This is a complete joke, and I have very little or no respect for the governing body that allows this travesty of justice to happen...
Posted 30 Mar 2006 at 6:03am #
Michele Wie should play on the LPGA and see if she could win there before taking on the men. I see she is going to be in the John Deere again......my guess, she misses the cut. It's all about being the first woman in the Masters.
Posted 03 Aug 2006 at 9:55pm #
Michelle Wie will likely drop from second to seventh due to a tweak to the Rolex Women's World Rankings.