So now Jean Van de Velde’s whining about the R&A’s recent rule change allowing women to play in the British Open. The famous Frenchman is so hot about it that he’s decided to apply to play in the Women’s Open next August. “I’ll even wear a kilt and shave my legs,” he said. Comfortable with his feminine side, I guess? I suppose we all know what his legs look like, after we saw them displayed as he waded through Barry Burn at Carnoustie back in ‘99, before losing in a playoff. “If we accept that women can enter our tournaments, then it ... full post »

In keeping with managing editor Mark Nessmith’s directive to complain more, I’ve decided to outline my top golf peeves. Perhaps you can relate: 5. Loud talkers. They’re everywhere, including the golf course. Would it kill you to notice there’s someone putting out twenty paces away from you when you’re yukking it up on the next tee? At the SAS Championship a few weeks ago, I witnessed a disgruntled Bobby Wadkins, who was teeing off on the tenth, comment to a marshal, “go ask that guy over there if our game is disrupting his conversation.” So I guess I’m not the only ... full post »

Reporter Michael Bamberger of Sports Illustrated is feeling pretty good about himself tonight. He didn’t just get a great story—Michelle Wie disqualified in her pro debut—he created it. He woke up this morning feeling so concerned over a drop Michelle took yesterday, he waited until Michelle completed her round today, then questioned LPGA Tour and rules officials and had them review tape of Saturday’s drop. According to rules official Robert O. Smith, the tape was “inconclusive,” so everyone trooped out to the seventh hole to find out where exactly the ball was dropped. Smith had Wie and her caddy show him where ... full post »

Michelle Wie’s playing in her first LPGA event as a full-fledged professional this weekend, the Samsung World Championship. This is a tough inaugural tourney, since the field includes only 20 players, the very best the LGPA has to offer. How is the LPGA handling Wie’s new status? Apparently, newly instated LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, concerned with possible antipathy against Wie, met with players last week after Wie’s big announcement. Bivens requested players put aside whatever resentments they might have and focus on the big picture. Said Meg Mallon, “Carolyn told us we can all form whatever opinion you want for ... full post »

It’s like I tell my kids: it’s no fun getting shots, but in the long run you’re better off. They tend not to believe me about that second part. This morning, Michelle Wie made the long-awaited announcement that she’s turning pro. Her first tourney will be the Samsung World Championship, Oct. 13-16. After that, the Casio World Open in Japan, Nov. 24-27. She’ll be Miss Global Golfer, following exemptions wherever they might lead, playing against men and women alike with a constant eye on her long-term goal of competing in the Masters. So how does the mouthpiece of women’s golf feel about ... full post »

Today was all Korea, all the time. To be filed under the category of Not Surprising, Koreans are dominating the leaderboard at the LPGA’s Office Depot Championship in LA. Weather delays have held up the final round, but at the moment, Jeong Jang and Hee-Won Han are tied for the top spot, at 9 under, and Seoul Sisters Young Jo and Soo-Yun Kang are one stroke behind. Meanwhile, K.J. Choi, not to be outdone, stepped up and decided to show us that South Korea isn’t just about the ladies. He picked up his third PGA win today at the Chrysler Classic ... full post »