There have been numerous articles written worldwide about Michelle Wie’s disqualification at last week’s Samsung World Championship, including a few right here at The Sand Trap. That’s definitely the hottest topic in the golf world right now, all tours included. I thought it was pretty interesting at first, but I have to admit, I’m already tired of hearing about it.
I’m definitely not the president of the Michelle Wie fanclub, but it’s time to leave her alone and move on. She broke the rules and she paid for it. That’s my take. Hopefully we won’t have to hear about it too many more times in the future (yeah right). I just wonder if Michael Bamberger, the media member who pointed it out a day late, can sleep at night. I wouldn’t be able to.
The thing most people have already forgotten about the Samsung World Championship is the fact Annika Sorenstam ran away with the tournament en route to winning her eighth event of the season. That’s a great accomplishment, but nobody really seemed to care. She is still as dominant as ever and the best female golfer to ever play the game.
I have seen numerous articles here at The Sand Trap about Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, and the always-popular Ms. Wie. These four golfers are the future of the LPGA, and that future is looking very bright. However, Annika Sorenstam has yet to receive the respect she deserves from the staff here at The Sand Trap, as well as the rest of the golf media. So, I’m going to take some time to give her that respect.
It seems like it was just yesterday people were talking about Annika winning the “Sorenslam.” Once she failed to do so, everyone (including myself) started talking about her as old news. My main question this week is this: Is Annika still the best in women’s golf, and if so, how much longer will she hold that title? Also, who will step up and knock her off her throne?
Is Annika Still the Best?
As I mentioned earlier in this article, Annika has won eight events in 2005. That is a “Tiger-esque” season in today’s time, but most people would guess she has four or five victories. After her failed attempt at the Grand Slam, it looked like her season turned into a dissapointment to some people. That shouldn’t have been the situation at all. Eight wins is eight wins, any way you slice it.
Sorenstam still won the first two majors of the year, which is a great year by my standards. Tiger Woods won two majors on the PGA Tour this season, and he is by far the best male golfer in the world. The same goes for Sorenstam as well. She may not be as dominant as Mr. Woods, but she is definitely the best female golfer in the world.
With the rise of the young LPGA golfers, it also seems like people think Annika has lost a step or two. I believe the young golfers are great and are making a great impact on the game of golf. I didn’t care to watch the LPGA Tour before this year, but I have grown quite fond of it in 2005. I enjoy watching Creamer, Gulbis, Pressel, and Wie. That being said, I’m still smart enough to realize they aren’t in Annika’s league just yet.
I think the golf media gets a little bored with Annika being so dominant. It’s easy to get caught up in something “new” so-to-speak, and I do the same thing from time to time. It seems like people want someone to step up to the plate and challenge Annika to be the best, but many have tried and failed in the past decade. I think people just forget how great she really is on a day-to-day basis.
How Long Will Annika be the Best?
It’s obvious I feel Annika is the best female golfer in the world. But how long will she be the best? It’s just natural for the torch to be passed to a younger golfer. It’s that way in every sport, and it’s no different in the golf world. Annika has showed me no signs of letting up. She just turned 35 years old, which means she has a long way to go before she bows out to the younger generation.
Most golfers are just hitting their prime in their 30s, and if that’s the case, Annika will shatter every record known to women’s golf. Kathy Whitworth is considered by most to be the best women’s golfer ever. She had 88 victories in total. Annika currently has 64 victories, including nine major championships. I definitely think Annika will surpass 88 wins, and I think she will have 15 or 16 major championship wins when all is said and done.
When it comes down to it, Annika still has a lot of golf left in her. She will probably play at least 8-10 more years on the LPGA Tour, and she will get at least three or four wins each of those years. She will be the best as long as she wants to be the best. If Annika’s desire for golf stays where it currently is, she will be the best for four or five more years. By that time, there will be too many young golfers wanting to take over the top spot. However, Annika still has a lot more winning in her system.
Who Will Knock Sorenstam off the Top?
The obvious choice to take over the top spot in women’s golf is Michelle Wie. Wie has been compared to Tiger many times, and it seems most people are thinking she is the next big thing in the golf world. She is only 16 years old and has a way to go before she passes Annika. Michelle Wie will have a great career, and there is really no doubting that. However, I haven’t seen her win anything worth mentioning, so I won’t believe the hype until she wins first place in something. You can’t be the best if you don’t win.
Natalie Gulbis’ name is also mentioned a lot as a possible heir to Sorenstam’s throne. I enjoy watching Gulbis play golf because she is so steady. She always seems to finish in the top 10, and that will win you a lot of money on the LPGA Tour. Gulbis is also very marketable because of her beauty. Her bikini and bathing suit 2006 calendar is already on sale. That being said, Gulbis hasn’t won anything yet, and I will not buy into the hype until she gives me reason to do so. Don’t worry, I still plan on buying the calendar.
Paula Creamer is the last name I’m mentioning in this category. Creamer just graduated high school this past May and has four worldwide wins in 2005. Unlike Wie and Gulbis, Creamer has given everyone glimpses of what it’s like to be a winner on the LPGA Tour. She still hasn’t won a major championship, but it will surely come in the near future. Creamer has the best chance of taking the throne from Sorenstam in the next few years, but she will have to win some bigger tournaments before that happens. And she still has a long way to go before she surpasses Sorenstam as the best female golfer in the world.
The Final Say
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of young talent. It changed the golf world when Tiger Woods burst upon the scene as a professional in 1996. Tiger did something most golfers haven’t done, and that is living up to the hype. It has yet to be seen whether or not Gulbis, Creamer, and Wie live up to their hype. And until then, Annika Sorenstam will be sitting on the top of the throne as the best female golfer in the world.
I don’t want to take anything away from Annika Sorenstam because she is great. But it’s a mixture of her being so great and the rest of the pack not being so great. Sorenstam hasn’t had the competition Tiger has had on the PGA Tour, but it’s not her fault. Even if she had better competition the past few years, she still might have won all the tournaments. It’s too tough to say. I try not to think about what might have been. I just try to call it like it is, and Annika is the best if that’s the case. She sure hasn’t done anything to prove me wrong, and she definitlely deserves a little more respect from the golf media.
That’s enough for this week. It’s time for you to speak your opinions. Do you think Annika is still the best female golfer in the world? If so, how much longer will she dominate on the LPGA Tour? Finally, who will finally knock Annika off her throne as the best women’s golfer in the world? If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss it in our forum. Thanks for reading Thrash Talk this week and have a great week of golf!
Photo Credits: © Unknown.
I’m a little late finding this blog – – – I like it. I also realize that I’m a little late sounding off about Michelle Wie, so, please bear with me.
The saddest part of her DQ, which should have NEVER happened, is that she will never have another chance to compete in her FIRST professional event. The way the LPGA handled this situation is probably why Annika did not get the recognition she deserved. The DQ seemed to come in a vindictive way born from envy. Regardless how they try to gloss over this, Michelle has been called a cheater by Michael Bamberger, Sports Illustrated and the LPGA. How could anyone defend themselves against a charge from at least 30 hours after the “fact.” The LPGA taking the word of a washed up “journalist” smacks of a real lack of integrity. I guess you cannot “un-rape” someone!
I know that nothing will ever be done to rectify this injustice to Michelle Wie. That’s why great athletes like Annika, Paula, Morgan and others will forever be under a shadow of “who really cares” if you have to defeet your rival via a back door slam. Have you noticed that NOT ONE LPGA player has said one word FOR Michelle, That kind of says it all!
I’ve said my peace. Thanks
7-under