Can women compete on the men's Pro Tour?

[EZprophet]

From Wikipedia:

Amid notable controversy, Sörenstam was invited to play in the Bank of America Colonial golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas in May 2003, making her the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event since Babe Zaharias, who qualified for the 1945 Los Angeles Open. PGA Tour player Vijay Singh was particularly critical of her presence; he was quoted saying she had no business playing and he hoped she missed the cut, although he later apologized.[47][48] Cheered through each hole, she shot five over par, tying for 96th out of the 111 who finished the first two rounds, missing the cut. After shooting 1-over-par 71 in the first round, finishing in 73rd and on pace to challenge for a weekend spot, Sörenstam said she was nervous all day but pleased by her performance.[49] Through the first round she led the field in driving accuracy, was in the top 20 in greens in regulation, and was 84th out of 111 in driving distance. Unfortunately, poor putting (last in the field, averaging over a two-putt) cost her a spot on the first page of the first round leaderboard and ultimately caused her to miss the cut.[50]

 

[toonarmy]

Who cares? The real question is should they be allowed to try?

But the obvious answer to that is 'no', unless of course men are in turn allowed to go and play in the Women's events.

The idea of letting the odd big star of the women's circuit play the odd event is both patronising and ridiculous. It's not equality, it's marketing.

 

[EZprophet]

Who cares? The real question is should they be allowed to try?

But the obvious answer to that is 'no', unless of course men are in turn allowed to go and play in the Women's events.

The idea of letting the odd big star of the women's circuit play the odd event is both patronising and ridiculous. It's not equality, it's marketing.

I dont understand that point of view at all...

By your logic then, pros over the age of 50 should be FORCED to play the champions tour, and not allowed on the PGA tour...

Over 50's have their own tour, that under 50's arent allowed to play on (just like women have their own tour, that men arent allowed to play on) so like you say, if we allow over 50's to play on the PGA tour, we should let under 50's play on the Champions Tour... right?

Just because MOST players over the age of 50 arent good enough for the PGA tour any longer doesnt mean we shouldnt allow them to play the PGA tour if they ARE good enough, and in my opinion, its the same with the women.

The PGA tour and European tour are the top of the sport, the best of the best, and if you are amongst the best of the best, no matter what your age, gender whatever, you should be allowed to play.

 

[The_ACE]

It doesn't make sense surely putting is one of the only parts of the game where women don't have a physical limitation.

 

[toonarmy]

I dont understand that point of view at all...

By your logic then, pros over the age of 50 should be FORCED to play the champions tour, and not allowed on the PGA tour...

Over 50's have their own tour, that under 50's arent allowed to play on (just like women have their own tour, that men arent allowed to play on) so like you say, if we allow over 50's to play on the PGA tour, we should let under 50's play on the Champions Tour... right?

Just because MOST players over the age of 50 arent good enough for the PGA tour any longer doesnt mean we shouldnt allow them to play the PGA tour if they ARE good enough, and in my opinion, its the same with the women.

The PGA tour and European tour are the top of the sport, the best of the best, and if you are amongst the best of the best, no matter what your age, gender whatever, you should be allowed to play.

Then let me help you

The Champions' Tour is an age-restricted version of the Men's Tour. The courses are set up with their age limitations in mind, just as the Women's events are. As they have already been members of the Men's Tour, they have earned the right to play on it past 50. However, under 50s are not entitled to play on the Champions' Tour as they have an unfair physical advantage due to the course and tournament structure.

Women have never been members of the Men's Tour and never will be. Therefore, they have not earned the right to participate on that tour. As a male player is not allowed to play on the Women's Tour, the same then has to apply to women wanting to 'have a go' at the Men's Tour.

The link between age and gender is fatuous as the Champions' Tour players have been or still are members of the Men's Tour. They then have another tour exclusive to age, as is the Tour's right to decide.

This is not sexist discrimination on my, or the Tour's, part. Just a simple set of membership rules. Letting highly successful women golfers play at Men's events is grossly unfair to all those male golfers on the fringe of making it.

 

[Smiffy]

259 posts argueing with every respected and vastly experienced golfer on here

I hope you're not including me in that statement Bob.
I've stayed out of it

 

[drawboy]

In the interests of the equality that women seek, why not let Tiger play an LPGA event, watch them scream then!

 

[MarkE]

Just say it as it is. Women can't compete against the men because they are not good enough. Not just golf, any sport.
If anyone would like to give an example to the contrary, i'm all ears.

 

[SatchFan]

Just say it as it is. Women can't compete against the men because they are not good enough. Not just golf, any sport.
If anyone would like to give an example to the contrary, i'm all ears.

Olympic Dishwashing.

 

[MarkE]

Olympic Dishwashing.

I'm not convinced. Compete possibly, but win? Nah.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it depends greatly on the type of course. Put a top female pro on a mens US open course and it'll beat her into the ground because of the same tees as the men they simply don't have the power to hit some of the 500+ par 4's in 2. On a short course (like Colonial) they may have a chance. Anneka did well to only miss by a shot but Wie was too much of sideshow even when she competed in an altitude assisted course like Crans in the Swiss Open she struggled.

I think the experiment has been done again for a while with Anneka and Wie and there is no need for women to try and compete again. They aren't allowed to compete on the mens tour (subject to sponsor invite) and have their own tours. I think it would be better all round if the ladies game on both sides of the Atlantic could actually get more exposure, bringing in more money, and growing into bigger and better tours in their own right

Shame Timmy couldn't keep a promise to go (especially with the same tired tune).

 

[EZprophet]

Letting highly successful women golfers play at Men's events is grossly unfair to all those male golfers on the fringe of making it.

Maybe it is unfair but at the end of the day the sponsors have "sponsors exemptions" for a reason, so that they can invite players who havent qualified on merit, but who people want to see play, and who will boost up the spectators/ratings. The event only exists because of the sponsors and they are only there because of the viewing figures, so whether its fair or not is kind of irrelivant.

But anyways, thats not what Im taking issue with from what you are saying as I said woman should be able to play WHO ARE GOOD ENOUGH, meaning that they qualify for the event just like everyone else. Its you saying that woman "should not be allowed to try" that I have a problem with.

Women have never been members of the Men's Tour and never will be. Therefore, they have not earned the right to participate on that tour. As a male player is not allowed to play on the Women's Tour, the same then has to apply to women wanting to 'have a go' at the Men's Tour.

What if a woman did earn her right to participate on the tour then?

Answer this for me, do you think a woman should be allowed to go to PGA Tour Q-school and get her tour card and THEN play events on the PGA tour?

 

[EZprophet]

It doesn't make sense surely putting is one of the only parts of the game where women don't have a physical limitation.

The reason why woman are generally worse than men at sport isnt just down to physical strength. There are lots of sports where strength isnt relevant which men are still generally better than women at...

Golf is like that to a certain extent, as while strength is obviously important at the very top level of the game, technique is the main factor to hitting the ball long and straight.

Michelle Wie would drive the ball 40 yards past most on this forum but I doubt she would beat any single one in an arm wrestle!

 

[toonarmy]

Answer this for me, do you think a woman should be allowed to go to PGA Tour Q-school and get her tour card and THEN play events on the PGA tour?

Only if men are allowed to go to the female Q school and get the card.

By your rationale, if the women who are good enough (not that there are any) to play on the men's tour should be allowed (despite it being a MEN's tour), then the men not quite good enough to play on the Men's tour should be allowed to earn their crust on the Women's Tour.

They are both ludicrous propositions. Men have their Tour, Women have theirs and ne'er the twain should meet.