It was a big weekend for women's golf. The United States defeated Europe in the Solheim Cup, but more than that, Michelle Wie finally played up to her potential. She was 3-0-1, the best among her teammates, and was loose, smiling and having fun while doing it. Maybe a break from her overprotective parents had something to do with it. Or perhaps it was her Saturday fourball partner, Christina Kim, who helped keep things light. Whatever, the LPGA will be forever grateful if Wie emerges as the face of the tour.
That story has yet to write itself. In the meantime, the news out of Europe in the aftermath of the Solheim Cup has to do with Kim's on-course antics. Depending on your perspective, her actions were somewhere between slightly distracting to Happy Gilmore-tastic. I watched parts of the telecast over the weekend and I tend to think it was more the latter.
That's not to say there isn't a place for emotions in golf -- in fact, that's exactly what the sport needs, more players who don't robotically go through the motions and consequently bore viewers into comas -- but you can also overdo it.
At the 1999 Ryder Cup, Justin Leonard drained a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole of his Sunday's singles match with José María Olazábal to help seal one of the most miraculous comebacks in golf history. Leonard, possibly more shocked than anyone that the putt dropped, went bonkers, running around the green as Olazábal waited to putt.
Was Leonard out of line, at least in terms of his gentlemanly responsibilities to the game? Yeah, sure, but his actions were spontaneous, fueled by adrenaline and the enormity of that one moment. The guy's allowed to cut loose.
But Kim, who's known for her excitable on-course persona, played the entire tournament like she was hooked up to a Red Bull IV. Look, I'm all for team spirit, but at some point it goes beyond that. I don't think it took away from the event, but it was distracting. There are worse things, I suppose.
Either way, GolfDigest's John Huggan wasn't impressed.
One other lowlight -- at least some of the time -- was the behavior of Christina Kim. The extrovert American clearly has a big heart and a kind heart given her obvious affinity and loud interaction with the spectators. But there is a line that must never be crossed with this sort of thing. And, at the risk of being portrayed as a bit of a fuddy-duddy, it must be pointed out that Kim, on occasion, veers into a place where opponents are -- however inadvertently -- treated with something less than proper respect. The time to gee up crowds is between holes, not while a competitive situation exists.In general, I would agree with Huggan -- he's being a fuddy duddy -- but as I watched the coverage this weekend I couldn't ignore Kim. She was in your face whether it was to work the ropes after every shot or raise the roof or have Wie slap her ass after Saturday's impromptu post-match shimmy on the 18th green.
In Kim's defense, she's different, and in golf, that can sometimes be a good thing. And although it's a bit much at times, she points out on Twitter that her behavior was never "discourteous." Not sure her opponents would always agree with the sentiment, but at least she's not morose and petulant.
Via Local Knowledge
Solheim Cup Photos
SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: The Solheim Cup Trophy at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: The Solheim Cup Trophy at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: The Solheim Cup Trophy at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: The Solheim Cup Trophy at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: Christina Kim of the USA with the trophy after the Sunday singles matches at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christina Kim
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: Morgan Pressel of the U.S. Team chips onto the green on the 16th hole during the Sunday singles matches in 2at Rich Harvest Farms on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Illinois. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Morgan Pressel
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: Laura Davies of England and the European Team on the tee at the 1st hole during the Sunday singles matches at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Laura Davies
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: John Solheim the CEO and President of Karsten Manufacturing Company (back left) with his brother Alan Solheim with (sitting left to right) Louise Suggs (founder member of the LPGA), Louise Solheim (wife of Karsten Solheim the founder of the Ping golf company) and Shirley Spork (founder member of the LPGA) on the 1st tee during the Sunday singles matches at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Solheim;Alan Solheim;Louise Suggs;louise Solheim;Shirley Spork
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: European fans on the 1st tee during the Sunday singles matches at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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SUGAR GROVE, IL - AUGUST 23: Michelle wie and Paula Creamer encourage fellow team members on the 18th hole during the Sunday singles matches at the 2009 Solheim Cup Matches, at the Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club on August 23, 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ilinois (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paula Creamer;Michelle Wie
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
8-24-2009 @ 12:26PM
ednaroy2 said...
I don't think in anyway that K.KIM was out of line,
Let the girl have fun,this is not for money or ranking,so if she wants to have a little fun between holes so be it.
I am from Europe and i love her attitude,We need someone like K.KIM.
When Boo Weekly was riding his driver as if it was a horse,everyone thought it was funny.
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8-24-2009 @ 12:50PM
cjgdnight said...
Everyone needs to remember the scene where Kim was in the last pairing with Matthew in the British Open walking down the fairway revving up the crowd for Matthew's win.... the excitement is for golf.... not to be hateful toward opponents... in fact you see her congratulating her opponent for a great shot on 16 or 17 yesterday when the contest was in question... she is a good person... kinda like shaq... a good personality who should be given the benefit of the doubt when intentions are questioned.
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8-24-2009 @ 4:10PM
apetti8824 said...
She even yelled at spectators to get off the fairway on the last hole, so her opponent can take her shot.. Call it waht you may.. she's an insperation for the fuddy-duddy golfers out there!...
8-24-2009 @ 12:53PM
o084 said...
Let's face it, people have personalities golf clubs don't. It's nice to see a golf professional really enjoying herself. Just because golf was invented in the UK doesn't mean everyone has to have a STIFF upper lip.
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8-24-2009 @ 12:54PM
coladas said...
You mean that wasn't Margaret Cho out there?!!???
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8-24-2009 @ 1:43PM
furrsher said...
Professional golf is in big trouble, all of the tours are losing sponsors. Expiring TV contracts will be renewed with much smaller contracts. The truth, whether you like it or not, is that the average golf fan no longer cares which millionaire wins the next tournament.
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8-24-2009 @ 2:08PM
pasdadosia said...
I am all for antics in golf. Last year's Ryder Cup was some of the most entertaining golf ever watching Boo and Anthony Kim. However in there situations it was more entertaining and fun, showing the lighter side of personalities. Saturday was a little ridiculous watching her celebrate winning a hole win they were down 5. The comment was made about how it compared to a defensive back celebrating a tackle after 40 yard gain. It was perfectly ok for her celebrations when they were winning, celebrating when you are losing is just pathetic to watch.
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8-24-2009 @ 3:06PM
prov2thet said...
Professional golf wanted to bring the sport to the less fortunate. This program has passed with flying colors. If these actions were anything less than GHETTO GOLF then I don't know how to describe!
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8-24-2009 @ 3:21PM
Antoine said...
Explain Ghetto Golf??
8-24-2009 @ 3:14PM
obamaizamarxist said...
She's an idiot, but at least she took the time to learn english..
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8-24-2009 @ 3:31PM
rhodyred1528 said...
Miss Kim by the way was born in America and I like her spunk. I really enjoyed watching the matches on the Golf Channel. No major television coverage here as the ladies tour doesn't get the ratings as mens golf does. The Hartford Courant left it out of it's Sunday sports section.
8-24-2009 @ 3:19PM
Murph 32 said...
These endless complaints that golfers are generally "too boring" are in themselves as boring and tiresome as the morons who forward them. Kim is outgoing and extroverted and that's fine, but she often carries it all too far and spirals over the line into mindless immaturity. Not fine. There are worse things in sports, but her basic defense of "I know I'm a nut, but nothing I do is ever meant to offend anyone, rings hollow at times. We all have to be true to our basic natures as that's what's ultimately going to shine through in the end anyway, but there were clearly many instances in her formative years where a firmer hand should have been taken in letting her know that her often mindless ways had become inappropriate in given instances and that wasn't happening. The result of such early laxities are what you saw this weekend, an immature 25-year-old whose laughably bombastic personality will only be tempered with time and aging - maybe.
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8-24-2009 @ 6:41PM
Sick of the vulture mentality said...
I adore an arrogant armchair psychiatrist, armed with his trusty copy of Roget's.
One can only imagine what staggering amusement and unbridled hilarity you bring to soirees, parties, and the like.
8-24-2009 @ 6:54PM
tig519 said...
Are you kidding? A firmer hand?
Life is meant to be celebrated!
I have never seen Kim show disrespect. She engages the crowd, congratulates other golfers within her pairings, and shows overall what sportsmanship is and can be in the game of golf. Does she show more emotion than most... yes, but I would rather have that than the stoic golfers who can't even muster up a "good shot" for their pairing partner when they sink a 50ft putt. Why is that? This sport could stand for more Kims.
8-24-2009 @ 3:23PM
shultzy said...
I don't think that Kim's so-called "antics" were in any way unprofessional. It's great to see a player get pumped up and have so much pride playing for their country, with no paycheck at the end. Perhaps if we saw a little more of that on the course, it would attract more people to follow the LPGA. WTG Christina!
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8-24-2009 @ 3:22PM
mikerat42 said...
SOS from those who think golf some sort of sancrosanct endeavor...
Get over yourselves.. Halle Berry played barefoot..Should she have been asked to leave the course???
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8-24-2009 @ 3:38PM
huzo73 said...
Kim rules. there just mad that they lost. just like in 99. the europeans are holding the game of golf back. golf needs more of this if its gonna survive these tough times. oh and kim is such a hottie too.
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8-24-2009 @ 3:48PM
bennroman said...
You have one non-zombie like male PGA player, an alcoholic disaster named John Daly and the public can't get enough of him. The Golf world and Golf writers need to wise up and realize that the pretty boys in their Izod shirts and pleated kaki slacks are not representative of the American public as a whole. Now if Golf wants to remain a "country club" game isolated from the rest of American culture, well, then you should censor Kim's actions and dump John Daly.
PS. The weekend's Solheim Cup was the first women's event that I couldn't get enough of. Part of that was because the ladies showed some emotion.
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8-24-2009 @ 9:34PM
roachsg said...
COULD NOT AGREE MORE BENN, THIS WAS I THINK A BIG SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THE LPGA,,IF YOU DIDNT LIKE IT WELL,,,,GO BACK BACK TO YOUR CHESS GAME!!
8-24-2009 @ 3:52PM
Joe McCullar said...
I think the LPGA should be ashamed of the way the entire US team acted.Hell,it looked like a group of 12 yr olds in a Volly Ball match.It was NA NA NA NA,look what I just did.I turned it off.What a joke.I agree with the Getto Golf statement.That is what it remined me of.For the person who asked what is getto golf,it's like scoring a touchdown and acting like an idot for ten minutes.What we are taling about here folks is CLASS and SPORTSMANSHIP,something society seems to want to forget and it's ruining a big part of what sports is all about.I was a college athlete and played baseball on the semi pro level and I'm telling you every coach I had would not have put up with this crap.I done with the team LPGA events!!
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