Yani Interested in Playing with the Men

[uttexas]

I'd like to see her try to qualify for an Open, whether it's the Asia-Pacific Open, Singapore Open, etc.

[x129]

What part looked bad? The fact the she could play with and beat half the guys? Just shows the lack of talent on the PGA tour right? Obviously that is very sarcastic.  Someone will complain but I bet 10% of the population would complain if world peace broke out.  Compare the media interested generated those years versus the average one and ask yourself which is better for the sport.

English isn't Yani's first language. I would bet by learn she means "how do I measure up" not some fancy technique.

Originally Posted by iacas

I don't think that's true. I didn't particularly care, but I know of some people who thought it looked bad, including some of the players she beat.

[GaijinGolfer]

If shes good enough to qualify for a PGA Tour event, more power to her.  Id like to see her earn her way in though instead of using a sponsor exemption like Annika and Michelle Wie did.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Id like to see her earn her way in though instead of using a sponsor exemption like Annika and Michelle Wie did.

I agree. Give women the opportunity to qualify. If 20 make it, fine. Let them play on the PGA Tour.

[ghalfaire]

Actually you're right, she could learn without playing a PGA event.  Even I could tell her where the PGA Pros' game is better than the LPGA.  The guys on the PGA Tour are much much better at the short game than the LPGA players.   The PGA Pros do it all better, putt, chip, pitch, sand play, etc. and they do it on more difficult courses.   It is not the 300 yard drives that do it, it's the short game.

As to Michelle Wie being an airhead you might want to reconsider that comment.  She is an excellent student at Stanford University and that isn't a place where airheads excel.  So somehow I suspect she has something more between her ears other than empty space.

Originally Posted by Shorty

You have swallowed the PR hook line and sinker.

Yani doesn't need to "learn" anything from the men, and if she did, she wouldn't need to be in a PGA Tour event to do so.

This was a word which was carefully chosen and used so that people didn't start criticising her, thinking that she though she might win, like that airhead Michelle Wie.

She and her management have simply learnt from others' mistakes.

[newtogolf]

I see both sides.  I personally wouldn't be against the #1 LPGA player automatically qualifying for a PGA event one a year as a novelty.  From the PGA side there wouldn't be much gained but for the tournament sponsor it could be huge as you'd potentially attract PGA, LPGA and non-golf fans who would be attracted to the spectacle of a women competing head to head with the guys.

If it helps get the PGA and LPGA in the headlines and additional news coverage it's ultimately a win win for everyone.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by ghalfaire

As to Michelle Wie being an airhead you might want to reconsider that comment.  She is an excellent student at Stanford University and that isn't a place where airheads excel.  So somehow I suspect she has something more between her ears other than empty space.

I knew someone would say that. And you are right. They don't excel there - but they are given an easy ride and do courses to do with "marketing".

Surely you aren't suggesting that she earnt her place there through academic criteria!

Are you are aware that Stanford has a list of special classes for its athletes to choose from?

Actually - one of the funniest things I ever read was a book which spent a bit of time talking about the "academic requirements" of athletes getting entry into American universities.

Sandy Lyle famously missed out - apparently the "exam" was something equivalent to knowing your 5 x tables.

[uttexas]

OT, couldn't resist. This Sandy Lyle [VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pzAHB98e5w[/VIDEO] or this Sandy Lyle [VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tQIOfJo_gc[/VIDEO]

[jamo]

I knew someone would say that. And you are right. They don't excel there - but they are given an easy ride and do courses to do with "marketing". Surely you aren't suggesting that she earnt her place there through academic criteria!  Are you are aware that Stanford has a list of special classes for its athletes to choose from?  Actually - one of the funniest things I ever read was a book which spent a bit of time talking about the "academic requirements" of athletes getting entry into American universities. Sandy Lyle famously missed out - apparently the "exam" was something equivalent to knowing your 5 x tables.

FWIW, It's a very small percentage of actual schools that would bend requirements much. They just happen to be the ones on TV 24/7 (in large part because they bend the rules for athletes).

[Gresh24]

Originally Posted by Shorty

I knew someone would say that. And you are right. They don't excel there - but they are given an easy ride and do courses to do with "marketing".

Surely you aren't suggesting that she earnt her place there through academic criteria!

Are you are aware that Stanford has a list of special classes for its athletes to choose from?

Actually - one of the funniest things I ever read was a book which spent a bit of time talking about the "academic requirements" of athletes getting entry into American universities.

Sandy Lyle famously missed out - apparently the "exam" was something equivalent to knowing your 5 x tables.

You won't get an argument about many American Universities letting anyone into school for athletics.  It is a joke at many institutions.

However, Stanford is not one of them.  Not by a long shot.  Do you have a list of these "special classes" offered to their athletes, or a source of that information?

[Gresh24]

Originally Posted by jamo

FWIW, It's a very small percentage of actual schools that would bend requirements much. They just happen to be the ones on TV 24/7 (in large part because they bend the rules for athletes).

FWIW, the percentage isn't very small.  The percentage of schools that don't bend requirements is what's very small.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Shorty

I knew someone would say that. And you are right. They don't excel there - but they are given an easy ride and do courses to do with "marketing".

Surely you aren't suggesting that she earnt her place there through academic criteria!

Are you are aware that Stanford has a list of special classes for its athletes to choose from?

I call BS. Sorry. She's not an athlete as far as the school is concerned. Tiger was still an amateur, Michelle isn't. By every account from people in a position to know, she's a good student. Yeah, it's in "Communications," but it's still Stanford and she's not going to win the Heisman. I'm the first to agree that her intelligence doesn't come across in interviews, but that doesn't mean she's skating through.

The burden of proof in this type of situation lies with you. Stanford isn't Ohio State and Michelle Wie isn't the starting quarterback.

[Pope33]

I say let her try a tourney or two. I would watch, and I think most people on this website would watch.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Gresh24

Do you have a list of these "special classes" offered to their athletes, or a source of that information?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/50339070/Course-List

http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/03/09/1046687/

There are some real beauties there -

Financial Literacy

Global Entrpeneurial Marketing

Int; Security in Changing World

Social Dances in North Aerica III

Acting For Non Majors

Sleep and Dreams

Public Speaking

[shades9323]

Good thing she isn't a student athlete then.

Originally Posted by Shorty

http://www.scribd.com/doc/50339070/Course-List

http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/03/09/1046687/

There are some real beauties there -

Financial Literacy

Global Entrpeneurial Marketing

Int; Security in Changing World

Social Dances in North Aerica III

Acting For Non Majors

Sleep and Dreams

Public Speaking

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by shades9323

Good thing she isn't a student athlete then.

I think that we can assume that the fact that she is Michelle Wie the athlete is how she got in though.

A prestigious university always wants more prestige - and they will get publicity from what she achieves as a golfer, rather than as a student.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Shorty

I think that we can assume that the fact that she is Michelle Wie the athlete is how she got in though.

I don't think we can assume that. You're free to, of course.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by iacas

I don't think we can assume that. You're free to, of course.

The marketer's dream of the holy trinity - beauty, brains and a great golf game - has eventuated into a "2 out of three ain't bad" story.

I suppose it's up to all of us to decide which of the three we want to discount, or, if in fact we don't discount any of the three.

We have seen her play golf.

We have seen her interviewed numerous times.

We have seen her breaking a rule and not taking responsibility.

We have seen her trying to explain her actions. Lying through her teeth. She didn't account for herself very well. Doesn't make her stupid, but not a bad impersonation.

She didn't even have the wit to back out when she had the chance.

I have no judgement on her appearance, and she's done very well for herself.

I would love to see her get some more wins on the LPGA because it would revitalise the game.  And that is sorely needed.

I have zero desire to see her or Tseng on the PGA Tour.

Oh.... back to Yani. Sorry for the digression.