Golf Observer Sal Johnson bad-mouths the LPGA

When they need to be called out, call them out. When Carolyn Bivens raised xenophobia to new stature this year with the English-Only rule, she was dutifully called out by the media, both traditional and cutting-edge.

In the past, I had a great time calling out Michael “Bam-Bam” Bamberger for his Flintstone-esque assault on Michelle Wie. Whether she took a bad drop or not, it was not a self-aggrandizing reporter’s place to insert himself into the story. Today I’m putting the squeeze on a guy I usually look to for leadership, Golf Observer’s Sal Johnson.

Salacious Sal went a step too far on Monday, November 24th. Maybe it was the anticipation of Thanksgiving Turkey, maybe it stuffing and gravy, but who knows? Sal went all out and asked where does the LPGA get off allowing a non-member to qualify for and win the “jewel” of the tour, the ADT Championship. Hell, Sal, I asked myself the same darned question in 2005 when Cambo won the US Open. Incredibly, it happened again two years later when that Argentine triumphed at Oakmont. Where did the USGA get off allowing two non-Americans to cart off the holy grail of championship golf, the championship cup of the men’s open?

I was offended until I realized that NO ONE CARES!! If a player is qualified to enter the tournament and meets entry requirements, fire away. Ji-Yai Shin is the reigning Open champion of Great Britain, one of the LPGA majors. She played gloriously in south Florida prior to Turkey Day and collected a well-deserved payday and loving cup. The Johnson opines that the LPGA seems to have no-control-over-this moments on a regular basis. Really, Sal? Ask Greg Norman about such things; he’ll cite Larry Mize, Bob Tway and a host of others who stole off with the Shahk’s titles and trophies.

I applaud Ji-Yai Shin and I waggle my finger at you, Sal Johnson. What’s the deal with kicking the LPGA at Thanksgiving time? Did the dogs and grannies outrun you?