The Rolex Women’s World Rankings (or “The Rolex Rankings”) were unveiled in February to the amusement of many – Michelle Wie was ranked third (and quickly moved up to second) ahead of four-time winner Paula Creamer, consistent performer Natalie Gulbis, multiple winner Lorena Ochoa, and others.
Since then, Michelle has finished in the top five in every LPGA event she’s played in 2006, including all three women’s majors played so far. Many feel this validates her spot below Annika Sorenstam in the rankings.
But that all changed yesterday when the Rolex Rankings announced a tweak to the system that will likely drop the 16-year-old phenom from second to seventh. The new rankings will be unveiled after this week’s Women’s British Open.
Continue reading “A Wie Little Tweak to the Rolex Women’s World Rankings”
Only on the LPGA Tour could a major championship be sponsored by a cereal company. Weetabix, the English food company, hosts the final major championship of the year, the 
Joe Ogilvie may have 
Although there’s a PGA Tour event this week, the real action may be coming from the ladies. Yes, it is their turn to compete for a USGA major championship and with the young guns on the LPGA tour including Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie, it will surely be an interesting tournament. We can expect another media field day with young Wie this week as she attempts to secure her first professional victory and perhaps validate all the attention she’s attracted attempting to compete with the men.
It looked like Lorena Ochoa had it locked up, but thanks to a miraculous 116 yard pitch that found the hole Karrie Webb would have a chance to win the women’s first major of the year in a playoff. Webb was so stunned by the final hour of the Kraft Nabisco Championship that she lost her way after completing an amazing comeback Sunday. Even after holing out with her wedge, Webb had to watch Michelle Wie try for an eagle chip and the win. She wound up with a par to finish one shot behind. Lorena Ochoa recovered from a back-nine collapse in time to hit a 5-wood onto the island green at the 18th, then made a six-foot eagle putt to force the first playoff at Mission Hills in 14 years. Webb won with a seven-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole.
Australian Rod Pampling proved to be just lucky enough this St. Patrick’s Day weekend to overcome a two-shot deficit with two holes to play. He started the day with a substantial four-shot lead, but quickly saw that lead collapse after carding a double-bogey six on the par-four 13th hole after shoving his drive out-of-bounds. He thought that he had handed the tournament to Greg Owen on a silver platter, the two-shot lead seemed too great to overcome in just two holes. However, Owen would take three putts to get down from 40 inches on the 17th green and would drop another stroke after a putt that looked center-cut agonizingly lipped out on the 72nd hole. “I can’t believe it missed,” he said afterward. “I cannot believe it missed.”
If the audience of the 2006 World Golf Championship Accenture Match Play Tournament has learned anything, it’s that match play is ridiculously unpredictable. 
I wouldn’t miss the opening of LPGA golf season for the world so I am back from my brief respite to enjoy the festivities. The final field has already been chosen and viewers will have a first-hand opportunity to see both emerging golf stars as well as to welcome back some familiar faces.