Just curious....if Michele Wie would actually win during one of her 7 LPGA tour events this year, as an amateur is she exempt for more than her invited events? Or, if she decided to turn pro and petitioned for status on the Tour, would a win as an amateur grant her membership?
She tied for second this week, which I personally think is pretty admirable for a teenage amateur. Since she has been quoted regularly as saying she intended to remain an amateur thru high school, what is the situation if she wins?
I believe her status remains the same regardless of her finish. She's still an amateur and unless the LPGA makes another exception (Like allowing amateurs to play in the LPGA Championship) I don't believe amateurs are awarded any status for victories.
As long as Michelle Wie remains an amateur, she will only be able to play up to 7 LPGA Tour events. She could win all of the events and it wouldn't matter.
I've been trying to research my own question and found out the following:
There is an 18 yr old minimum for membership on the LPGA but they do make exceptions in some cases like the Song girl. However, she was 17, had finished high school, and decided to turn pro rather than go to college.
In one article, Michele said she was going to stay amateur during school because her best chance of getting to the Masters was by winning the Amateur. Quite a stretch but can't fault her for dreaming big.
Judy Rankin stated, in a very convoluted manner, that if Michelle wins and turns pro during that year, she would be eligible to play in any event she chooses but that her membership in the LPGA is dependent upon their granting a special exemption. Now that sounds inaccurate to me but what do I know.
I can't find "exempt status" info on the LPGA website. If anyone has a link, I am still interested!
I've been trying to research my own question and found out the following:
In one article, Michele said she was going to stay amateur during school because her best chance of getting to the Masters was by winning the Amateur. Quite a stretch but can't fault her for dreaming big.
Michele should have correctly stated it was her ONLY chance at getting into the Masters. I do not feel she will make it into the WGR Top 50 Previous or Current Year Week Before Masters and I don't think she will make it into the Top 40/10 on the PGA Tour Final Previous Year/Current Year Week Before Masters money list either. The only other way I can see her making the Masters other than winning a USGA Major Amateur Event or the British Amateur is by making it into the US Open or The Open Championship Field through qualifying and then she has to finish in the Top 8 at the US Open (previous year) or the Top 4 at The Open Championship (previous year).
Michele should have correctly stated it was her ONLY chance at getting into the Masters. I do not feel she will make it into the WGR Top 50 Previous or Current Year Week Before Masters and I don't think she will make it into the Top 40/10 on the PGA Tour Final Previous Year/Current Year Week Before Masters money list either. The only other way I can see her making the Masters other than winning a USGA Major Amateur Event or the British Amateur is by making it into the US Open or The Open Championship Field through qualifying and then she has to finish in the Top 8 at the US Open (previous year) or the Top 4 at The Open Championship (previous year).
I think Michelle fully knows this. At the SBS Open, Michelle was asked what the biggest longshot is in terms of her dreams for the game of golf. She stated that playing in the Masters would be the biggest longshot. Michelle states that playing in the Masters is her dream but you know, she's 15 and I think she's just dreaming big like a typical 15 year old.
I know her father also said that if she turns pro now, her chances at playing in the Masters would pretty much get thrown out of the window. Her best chance would be to make it through the amateur events.
Personally, I know I had a lot of big dreams when I was Michelle's age. I was a really ambitious guy and that's what Michelle seems to me. I'm sure she would truly love to play in the Masters one day but from what her and her family says, she truly knows it's a longshot. By her own estimations, it's the biggest longshot in terms of all of her goals.
February 27th, 2005, 09:47 PM
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