Golf FanHouse http://golf.fanhouse.com Golf FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://golf.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif Golf FanHouse http://golf.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Tennis: Nadia Petrova From Russia With Lovehttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/06/tennis-nadia-petrova-from-russia-with-love/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/06/tennis-nadia-petrova-from-russia-with-love/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/06/tennis-nadia-petrova-from-russia-with-love/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.

In this video we talk to tennis star Nadia Petrova who tells us why she is more popular in the United States than in her homeland, Russia. We also learn why it's not wise to get in the way of any serve unleashed by this tennis powerhouse. Around 1:15 into the video Nadia tells us why Russia produces so many talented tennis players.


AOL Video link. Youtube link.

Tennis: Nadia Petrova From Russia With Love originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>nadia petrovaNadiaPetrovaElie SeckbachSun, 06 Jul 2008 12:50:00 EST Lorena Ochoa Would Be Willing to Play Against Men (Presumably Including Vijay)http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/05/lorena-ochoa-would-be-willing-to-play-against-men-presumably-th/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/05/lorena-ochoa-would-be-willing-to-play-against-men-presumably-th/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/05/lorena-ochoa-would-be-willing-to-play-against-men-presumably-th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lorena Ochoa, the best women's golfer on the planet, wouldn't mind following in the footsteps of the LPGA's previous No. 1 player, Annika Sorenstam.
When a reporter asked Ochoa if she would play against a man, the Mexican said "I am not going to say no." "Perhaps we'll change direction," she added. "I am flexible. We are willing to look at something fun, and it could be fun to play a man."
In 2003, Sorenstam was given a sponsor's exemption to tee it up at the Colonial. She fired an opening round 1-over 71, but would miss the cut after a second round 4-over. Still, Sorenstam played well, particularly since she admitted to being "nervous all day" Thursday.

Her appearance wasn't without controversy, however. Vijay Singh was so excited about a woman competing on the PGA Tour that he got all "pre 19th amendment" about the whole thing:
"It's just different for ladies to play on the men's tour," Singh said. "It's like getting the Williams sisters to play (tennis) against a man, and they're far better athletes than she (Sorenstam) is."
Oh, and at the time, Singh said he would withdraw if he was paired with Sorenstam. Classy. To his credit, he later apologized, so there's that.

As for Ochoa, I'm all for her competing against whomever. Unlike, say, Michelle Wie, who has yet to be competitive on the LPGA, Ochoa has dominated the women's tour. I have very little trouble believing she'd be competitive against men, and that included Vijay. Especially if she catches him when he's yipping his way around the green.

Lorena Ochoa Would Be Willing to Play Against Men (Presumably Including Vijay) originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Annika SorenstamAnnikaSorenstamLorena OchoaLorenaOchoaMichelle WieMichelleWieVijay SinghVijaySinghRyan WilsonSat, 05 Jul 2008 13:35:00 EST Lewis Finishes Third in U.S. Open, Won't Get to Count Winnings Towards Season Earningshttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/03/lewis-finishes-third-in-u-s-open-wont-get-to-count-winnings-t/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/03/lewis-finishes-third-in-u-s-open-wont-get-to-count-winnings-t/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/03/lewis-finishes-third-in-u-s-open-wont-get-to-count-winnings-t/#commentsFiled under: ,

This is Stacy Lewis.

She's 23, fresh out of the University of Arkansas and trying to earn her LPGA card by finishing in the top-80 on the money list at season's end through sponsors exemptions into tournaments.

Last Sunday at the Women's U.S. Open Lewis was in the final group, struggling to a 78 in her first LPGA tournament as a professional but still finished third, good enough for $162,487. The problem is, none of that will count towards the money list, giving her exactly $0 in earnings.

Sounds stupid, right? It's one of those things that's hard to wrap your brain around it, like why do people in my apartment complex have doormats when it's carpeted all the way down the hall?

Well, here's the explanation.
Starting in 2003, the LPGA expanded the maximum number of sponsor exemptions for non-members from four to six tournaments, and counted only domestic tournaments with at least 75 players in the field toward the money list. The U.S. Women's Open didn't count, because it is not co-sponsored by the LPGA.

The policy favors rank-and-file LPGA members, noting that non-members who want to earn a card without going to Q-school should have to compete in fields comprised almost entirely of LPGA members.
The fear was that someone could have one big week at the richest event in women's golf and get a card, for prize money at the Women's Open used to dwarf everything else. While the Women's Open purse of $3.1 million remains the largest, there are a dozen other LPGA events with at least $2 million in prize money.
It turns out, Lewis would be 68th on the money list right now if the earnings counted. She's playing in the NW Arkansas Championship this week, a tournament she shot an opening round 65 at last year as an amateur, but heavy rains caused the entire thing to be canceled.The rule is absolutely ridiculous and needs to go. No way should someone with this much talent be forced to go through Q-School. Lewis needed to make something happen in a hurry, did just that, and now won't be rewarded for it.

She seems to be taking it well, going with the "it is what it is" approach, but the LPGA needs to realize they're dropping the ball. With six possible sponsors exemptions, Lewis will probably just earn her card the way they want, but it isn't fair.

What next LPGA, brooms in the bunkers?

Lewis Finishes Third in U.S. Open, Won't Get to Count Winnings Towards Season Earnings originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Shane BaconThu, 03 Jul 2008 12:48:00 EST Maybe Michelle Wie Would Have More Success on the Futures Tourhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/01/maybe-michelle-wie-would-have-more-success-on-the-futures-tour/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/01/maybe-michelle-wie-would-have-more-success-on-the-futures-tour/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/01/maybe-michelle-wie-would-have-more-success-on-the-futures-tour/#commentsFiled under: ,


I don't think many people would disagree with the notion that Michelle Wie might want to mix things up and try something different, but I'm not sure the one-time phenom would be all that jazzed about Golf Digest's Ron Sirak master plan to revive her career.
Throughout her career, Wie has never played enough to get any momentum going -- not in junior golf, not as an amateur and not as a pro. But there is a way for her to get the tournament experience she needs: Write a letter to the LPGA and ask for a spot on the Duramed Futures Tour, a request that certainly would be granted.

The top-five Duramed money winners earn an LPGA card for 2009. And among those who have taken that route to LPGA membership are Lorena Ochoa, Nicole Castrale and Inbee Park.
Sirak writes what all of us -- including Michelle -- are thinking: the current set-up -- going to school and trying to earn an LPGA Tour card in just six starts (all sponsor's exemptions) -- is officially a failure. I just don't know if she'd go for the, "hey, I hear the Duramed Futures Tour is awesome, wanna give it a try?" sell.

The thing is, for as much as Dottie Pepper hates Wie's father, Bo, I get the sense that he wouldn't rule out Michelle honing her skills somewhere other than the LPGA. When talking about the prospect of his daughter having to attend Q-school, he said, "What other options do we have?" And now, thanks to Sirak, Mr. Wie has an answer to that question.

Maybe Michelle Wie Would Have More Success on the Futures Tour originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Dottie PepperDottiePepperMichelle WieMichelleWieRyan WilsonTue, 01 Jul 2008 15:33:00 EST Michelle Wie, Silver Linings and Q-Schoolhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/30/michelle-wie-silver-linings-and-q-school/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/30/michelle-wie-silver-linings-and-q-school/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/30/michelle-wie-silver-linings-and-q-school/#commentsFiled under: ,


Michelle Wie would probably like to put the Women's U.S. Open in the rearview. She carded a nine on a par-4, fired an opening round 81, and ended up missing the cut by something like 60 strokes*. Making matters worse, she didn't finish her second round until Saturday morning, when she had to show up to play just one hole before getting a late start on her weekend.

But there is good news. Sorta: the Open result doesn't affect Wie's quest to finish inside the top 90 to earn her LPGA Tour card. Not much of a consolation prize, but beggars and all that. Waggle Room has the details of what Wie needs to do to avoid Q-school.
To get that Tour card, Wie will have to earn roughly $95,000 total, and she's used three of six sponsor exemptions so far: Earned $2,570 back in February in Hawaii; missed the cut at the Michelob Ultra; made $18,887 last week at the Wegmans.

So Wie needs approximately $75,000 or more out of her last three sponsor exemptions. Which she can get, for example, with one Top 10 and two Top 25s, or three Top 15s, or one Top 5 and two missed cuts. (Wie can always try to Monday qualify for additional tournaments, too ...)
Seems doable, but, then again, Wie hasn't played consistently in almost two years. Plus, she didn't sound all that psyched about the prospects of Q-school:
"I think the qualifying conflicts with school, so I probably won't go to that," Wie said earlier in the week, noting it was tough to take one week off at Stanford last fall to play in a tournament. "But hopefully, I'll make enough money this year to get exempt for next year. I'll see how it goes..."
Her dad was more realistic about the whole thing: "What other options do we have?" he said. Not sure if he consulted his daughter about Team Wie's plan, but Dottie Pepper will no doubt keep us all updated.

* slight exaggeration

Michelle Wie, Silver Linings and Q-School originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Dottie PepperDottiePepperMichelle WieMichelleWieRyan WilsonMon, 30 Jun 2008 16:11:00 EST Karrie Webb Thinks USGA Made Women's U.S. Open Too Easy, Her Score Disagreeshttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/29/karrie-webb-thinks-usga-made-womens-u-s-open-too-easy-her-sco/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/29/karrie-webb-thinks-usga-made-womens-u-s-open-too-easy-her-sco/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/29/karrie-webb-thinks-usga-made-womens-u-s-open-too-easy-her-sco/#commentsFiled under: ,


Here's something you see, well, never: Karrie Webb, the world's former No. 1 women's golfer, is calling out the USGA for how they set up this week's Women's U.S. Open. Right, I know what you're thinking: when will players quit bellyaching about tough course setups and just play golf?

Well, here's the thing: Webb's complaining that Interlachen is too easy.
"I really don't understand what the USGA have tried to achieve this week, because they've kept the greens soft all week," said the two-time Open champion, who was 12 strokes from the lead.

"I think the course played harder on Monday than it is now. When you've played a lot of US Opens, your mindset is that par's good, but it really isn't (this week)."
Heading into the final round, 19 players are under par, which seems high for any U.S. Open. And even though Webb is 12 strokes off the lead, and hasn't been winning majors with the same regularity as she once did (Webb won six majors between '99 and '02, and just one since), I kind of agree with her.

The U.S. Open is all about breaking a golfer's will. I know a lot of people hate that, but it's a nice change from watching guys and girls fire 20-under four-day totals at various nondescript events during the year.

Webb adds:
"It opens it up to people who don't have great distance control and to me that's what the US Open is about, good ball-striking.

"If you're putting yourself in positions where you should be, you're supposed to be at an advantage, but I don't think it's playing that way right now."
Given Webb's current place on the leaderboard, I can't imagine tougher conditions would've benefited her much. If you can't score in easy conditions, thickening the rough, narrowing the fairways and slicking up the greens generally doesn't help. But like I said, I take her point, although Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer might disagree.

Karrie Webb Thinks USGA Made Women's U.S. Open Too Easy, Her Score Disagrees originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Karrie WebbKarrieWebbPaula CreamerPaulaCreamerStacy LewisStacyLewisRyan WilsonSun, 29 Jun 2008 12:35:00 EST Greg Norman Will Not Have the Paparazzi Ruin His Wedding Day http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/28/greg-norman-will-not-have-the-paparazzi-ruin-his-wedding-day/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/28/greg-norman-will-not-have-the-paparazzi-ruin-his-wedding-day/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/06/28/greg-norman-will-not-have-the-paparazzi-ruin-his-wedding-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The paparazzi is not happy with Greg Norman. You see, Norman and Chris Evert are getting married this weekend on Paradise Island and the two-time major champion has hired a security firm to keep the press away, including, according to the Herald Sun, "TV crews and photographers from Australia, Britain and the US."

Taking such measures to keep the prying eyes of the media out of what most people consider a private affair doesn't sit well with some guy named Garry Linnell of news.com.au. You see, according to Linnell, Norman owes the media for making him famous. You know, because golf had nothing to do with it.
As Norman arrived at the exclusive Paradise Island to prepare for his wedding this weekend to former Wimbledon champion Chris Evert, a group of Norman-aligned security goons and cops detained and harassed journalists, photographers and cameramen in scenes reminiscent of a third world dictatorship. ...

There, Greg Norman's dignity and class disappeared into the treacherous waters of The Bahamas in the same manner many of his golf shots once did when he was under pressure in a major.
Look, I'm not Norman apologist, but the guy's got every right to make sure his wedding is free of "get the photo at all costs" a-holes masquerading as reporters. Linnell disagrees, apparently, and offers this inane point as proof:
So do you, Gregory John Norman, solemnly promise from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer (not that there will be much of that), in sickness or in health, to remember the very people who have allowed you to afford a $2 million celebrity-laden wedding?
Right, because without the media, Norman would just be some Aussie with bad hair and an awful fashion sense.

Greg Norman Will Not Have the Paparazzi Ruin His Wedding Day originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Chris EvertChrisEvertGreg NormanGregNormanRyan WilsonSat, 28 Jun 2008 11:31:00 EST Anonymous, Angry PGA Tour Member Skeptical About Annika Sorenstam's Motiveshttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/anonymous-angry-pga-tour-member-skeptical-about-annika-sorensta/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/anonymous-angry-pga-tour-member-skeptical-about-annika-sorensta/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/anonymous-angry-pga-tour-member-skeptical-about-annika-sorensta/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last week Annika Sorenstam announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour, citing a well-worn pretext for departing politicians: to spend more time with the family.

Sorenstam won't officially get on with her life for another seven months -- when the tour season concludes -- which led one "formidable PGA Tour member," according to the Boston Globe, to express some skepticism about the timing of the announcement.
There are those cynics who will speculate that it is an attempt to maintain the spotlight and generate a sort of farewell tour to help with the almighty "branding," and let's hope that isn't so in this case. (After all, how many farewell tours for athletes are marketed for public consumption, only to see the player come back the next year and play on for a few more, to boot. Hello, Michael Jordan, and you, too, Nancy Lopez.)
That's it? That's what some old codger's so worked up about? Sorenstam possibly trying to set herself up down the road? Jeebus. This "formidable PGA Tour member" is probably the same jerk who floods the network with calls to report that a player may or may not have violated some obscure rule during the weekend telecast. You know, because golf is a gentleman's game and it's the right thing to do. And this guy is a meddling busybody.

Good news, though: as the Globe's Jim McCabe writes, in the days following Sorenstam's announcement, Lorena Ochoa, currently the planet's best (completely healthy) golfer, won her sixth tournament in nine starts this season, and the 14th time in 34 events since 2007. And everybody forgot about Sorenstam. For seven months, anyway.

See, it all works out.

Anonymous, Angry PGA Tour Member Skeptical About Annika Sorenstam's Motives originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 22 May 2008 17:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Annika SorenstamAnnikaSorenstamLorena OchoaLorenaOchoaRyan WilsonThu, 22 May 2008 17:04:00 EST Report: Annika Sorenstam to Retirehttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-annika-sorenstam-to-retire/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-annika-sorenstam-to-retire/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-annika-sorenstam-to-retire/#commentsFiled under: ,

Annika Sorenstam will announce her retirement from the LPGA, according to a press release on her own website. Given her age, 37, her decision is appropriately termed "stepping away from competitive play. Sorenstam has been a professional golfer for 15 years, winning 88 tournaments, 72 of which were LPGA events and 10 of which were major championships.
'After much consideration, I have made the decision to step away from competitive golf at the end of this season,' said Annika, who has added three more victories to her career total so far in 2008. 'Because I love the game so much, this is obviously a hard decision to make, but it feels like the right one. I made this decision because I have a number of other priorities in my life, including starting a family, that I want to be as dedicated to as I have been to playing golf and it was always important to me to go out on my own terms.'
Sorenstam's legacy is unquestionable, considering the amount of notoriety she gained for the female professional golfers. She won the Golf Writers' Association award for female POY eight times and earned an astonishing $22 million plus in winnings over the duration of her 15 years on the links.

Her most famous moments, though, may have been interaction with the men's game, between her well known competitive friendship with Tiger Woods and playing in the Bank of America Colonial in 2003, the first woman to enter a PGA event in over 50 years. That is neither an indictment of the women's game nor an overstatement of the men's game; it's merely a compliment to Annika's 15 year dominance of the LPGA circuit.

Report: Annika Sorenstam to Retire originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 15:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>annika sorenstamAnnikaSorenstamWill BrinsonTue, 13 May 2008 15:45:00 EST Michelle Wie Will Actually Try to Earn Her LPGA Tour Cardhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/04/04/michelle-wie-will-actually-try-to-earn-her-lpga-tour-card/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/04/04/michelle-wie-will-actually-try-to-earn-her-lpga-tour-card/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/04/04/michelle-wie-will-actually-try-to-earn-her-lpga-tour-card/#commentsFiled under: ,


We haven't heard much from Michelle Wie in 2008. Most of that has to do with her taking a break from tournament golf to attend Stanford. She's still competing (Wie will tee it up in the Wegmans this summer), but solely on sponsor's exemptions. To her credit, though, Wie decided against playing men's tournament's this year to focus on improving her game, which was in shambles by the end of last season, and, of course, college.

Even though Wie still relies on sponsor's exemptions, that will change next year. Yep, she's actually going to try to earn her LPGA Tour card. Via Waggle Room:
According to the current issue of Golf World (article not yet online), Wie's plan is the same as Stacy Lewis': get six exemptions, win enough money in those tournaments to finish the equivalent of 90th or better on the money list, and thereby earn a Tour card for 2009 without having to go to Q-School.
Somebody might want to show this to John Daly. Not the part about getting as many exemptions as he can get his grubby little fingers on, but attending Q School.

Because, frankly, unless something changes (and who knows, maybe more man-boob massages is what he needs to jump-start his season), that'll be his best chance to be a full-time PGA Tour member.

Assuming Wie can get healthy (her wrist is still giving her trouble), she'll have a good shot at pulling this off. As Waggle Room notes, the former teen phenom (now she's just a teen) will need to average $18,000 per tournament, which seems attainable. Of course, by the end of last year, she had trouble breaking 80, but again, I think that had more to do with her wrist injury than suddenly forgetting how to play golf. We'll see.

Michelle Wie Will Actually Try to Earn Her LPGA Tour Card originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>john dalyJohnDalymichelle wieMichelleWieRyan WilsonFri, 04 Apr 2008 12:53:00 EST Michelle Wie Dating Robin Lopezhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/03/27/michelle-wie-dating-robin-lopez/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/03/27/michelle-wie-dating-robin-lopez/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/03/27/michelle-wie-dating-robin-lopez/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Stanford star Robin Lopez has found an unlikely match in a girlfriend who will be wealthier and more famous than him, even if he makes it big in the NBA. Golfer Michelle Wie has found an unlikely match in a boyfriend who's a foot taller than she is.

Sports Illustrated reports (via Sports by Brooks) that Lopez, the 7-foot-1 center who scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds but was overshadowed by his brother Brook in Stanford's second round NCAA Tournament victory over Marquette Saturday, is dating Wie, a Stanford student who isn't eligible to play NCAA golf -- she's a professional who reportedly made more than $20 million last year.

Wie has always had a vibe about her that she's just a wee bit overprotected: Her father hovers around her golf tournaments, and her parents actually bought a place in Palo Alto to stay close to her when she enrolled at Stanford. In that respect, she may be a good match for Lopez, whose mom can frequently be seen at Stanford games. But with those parents and their status as two of the most famous people on campus, do they ever get any privacy?

Michelle Wie Dating Robin Lopez originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Michelle WieMichelleWieRobin LopezRobinLopezMichael David SmithThu, 27 Mar 2008 16:43:00 EST Random Greg Norman Update: Still Married to Chrissy, Tennis Game Is Improvinghttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/18/random-greg-norman-update-still-married-to-chrissy-tennis-game/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/18/random-greg-norman-update-still-married-to-chrissy-tennis-game/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/18/random-greg-norman-update-still-married-to-chrissy-tennis-game/#commentsFiled under: ,



Greg Norman is in his fifth decade on this planet but that doesn't mean he's spending his days toiling on the Champions Tour. Nope, he's way too busy with his business ventures (gauche clothing, golf course design, wineries), playing tennis with his new bride, and trying to figure out how to keep Sergio Garcia out of the family.

Norman is unfairly remembered as choking away the 1996 Masters to Nick Faldo, but he also won two majors: the 1986, 1993 British Open, finished second in majors on seven other occasions, and has 87 career professional victories. That's a pretty solid career.

Hat tip: The Golf Blog

Random Greg Norman Update: Still Married to Chrissy, Tennis Game Is Improving originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>chris evertChrisEvertgreg normanGregNormansergio garciaSergioGarciaRyan WilsonMon, 18 Feb 2008 20:16:00 EST Anna Rawson Loves Richard Branson, Roger Federer and Justin Timberlakehttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/14/anna-rawson-loves-richard-branson-roger-federer-and-justin-timb/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/14/anna-rawson-loves-richard-branson-roger-federer-and-justin-timb/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/02/14/anna-rawson-loves-richard-branson-roger-federer-and-justin-timb/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a perfect world, the LPGA wouldn't need to glam up its image to lure viewers. And maybe we're not far off from that day, what with players like Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer attracting fans as much for their golfing abilities as their physical appearance. And who knows, maybe Anna Rawson is next.

Rawson, a professional model, earned her LPGA Tour card last December but has yet to tee it up this season. Anyway, here's a cream puff Q&A with ESPN First Take's Jay Crawford:



Amazingly, Crawford made it through the interview without uttering one sexist comment.*

* Allegations may not be true.

Anna Rawson Loves Richard Branson, Roger Federer and Justin Timberlake originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>anna rawsonAnnaRawsonnatalie gulbisNatalieGulbispaula creamerPaulaCreamerRyan WilsonThu, 14 Feb 2008 22:25:00 EST Sony Open Doesn't Extend Michelle Wie Sponsor's Exemptionhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/26/sony-open-doesnt-extend-michelle-wie-sponsors-exemption/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/26/sony-open-doesnt-extend-michelle-wie-sponsors-exemption/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/26/sony-open-doesnt-extend-michelle-wie-sponsors-exemption/#commentsFiled under: ,


I guess we'll see how serious Michelle Wie is about playing just the women's tour in 2008. For the first time since 2004, the 18-year-old wasn't offered an sponsor's exemption to the Sony Open, a PGA Tour event in Hawaii usually played in January.

It's more likely that Wie, currently a freshman at Stanford University, will ask for exemptions to one or both LPGA Tour events in Hawaii in February. Her swing coach, David Leadbetter, told the AP that Wie probably won't compete against men until her health and her game get back in shape.
"She's not ready to play in that yet," Leadbetter said of the Sony Open, where Wie first rose to fame by shooting 68 at age 14 and missing the cut by one shot. "Her health is getting better, her game is getting better, the confidence is growing. The plan hasn't been made totally for this year yet, but she's looking to play one or two Hawaiian events against the women. "The whole goal is to get back on track after the debacle last year."
Wie appears to suffer not so much from the constant media attention, but like other teenage phenoms labeled "prodigies", her game is seemingly more affected by her overbearing parents. Who knows if this is actually the case, but it sure looks that way.

Whatever, it sounds like somebody in the Wie camp finally understands that there is plenty of time to play against men. First up, getting healthy, finding her form, and trying to win an LPGA tournament or two. You know, because Wie's next professional victory will be her first.

Sony Open Doesn't Extend Michelle Wie Sponsor's Exemption originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>david leadbetterDavidLeadbettermichell wieMichellWieRyan WilsonWed, 26 Dec 2007 14:46:00 EST Michelle Wie Won't Play Any Men's Tournaments in 2008http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/michelle-wie-wont-play-any-mens-tournaments-in-2008/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/michelle-wie-wont-play-any-mens-tournaments-in-2008/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/michelle-wie-wont-play-any-mens-tournaments-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'll go out on a limb and say that this is a good move for Michelle Wie:
Michelle Wie, who has aroused much controversy through accepting invitations to play on the men's PGA Tour, has said that she will not be playing in any men's events in 2008. The only exception may come at the end of the season with an appearance in Asia.
Wie, who seems like a typical teenager except that she can bomb a golf ball 300 yards and her overbearing parents sometimes forget that their daughter is 18 -- and a daughter -- had a forgettable 2007 season.

According to the AP, she finished the year with just over $23,000 in earnings, never once broke 70, and had four official rounds in the 80s, which would have been six had she not pulled out of the Ginn Tribute and the U.S. Women's Open.

Wie still hasn't earned her LPGA Tour card, and this fall she enrolled at Stanford. You'd like to think that college might afford her the opportunity to enjoy her life outside of golf, if only for a few years. Tiger Woods spent two years at Stanford before doing the golf thing full-time and he turned out okay. Ultimately, though, it's up to B.J. and Bo.

Michelle Wie Won't Play Any Men's Tournaments in 2008 originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>michelle wieMichelleWietiger woodsTigerWoodsRyan WilsonThu, 20 Dec 2007 17:44:00 EST Greg Norman, Chris Evert Are Gettin' Hitchedhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/greg-norman-chris-evert-are-gettin-hitched/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/greg-norman-chris-evert-are-gettin-hitched/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/greg-norman-chris-evert-are-gettin-hitched/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Way back in May, Michael David Smith wrote that golfer Greg Norman was in a tussle with his ex-wife over his estimated $500 million in the bank. Divorce laws being what they are in this country, that meant the former Mrs. Shark stood to gain half of the half billion (she ended up with just $100 million, which still ain't bad work if you can get it).

Anyway, Greg Norman has moved on, gotten back out onto the dating scene, and things have gone so well that he's getting married ... again. But this time, instead of tying the knot with some money-grubbing commoner, he's getting hitched to another washed-up, formerly important person in the world of sports: tennis star Chris Evert. But it gets better:
Evert, 53, and Norman, 52, both divorced their spouses recently. In September, Norman and his ex-wife, Laura, agreed to a reported $100 million settlement. Evert and her second husband, Andy Mill, divorced last December, according to Reuters.

Mill was outspoken about Norman's relationship with Evert. "Greg Norman at one time was my best friend and ... I would have taken a bullet for this guy," Mill told Australia's Herald Sun in August. "But I didn't realize he was the one who was going to pull the trigger."
Because that's how Greg Norman rolls. %Gallery-2727%

Greg Norman, Chris Evert Are Gettin' Hitched originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>chris evertChrisEvertgreg normanGregNormanRyan WilsonFri, 14 Dec 2007 15:08:00 EST Get to Know the LPGA Tour's Newest Face: Anna Rawsonhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/07/get-to-know-the-lpgas-newest-face-anna-rawson/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/07/get-to-know-the-lpgas-newest-face-anna-rawson/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/07/get-to-know-the-lpgas-newest-face-anna-rawson/#commentsFiled under: ,

I mentioned earlier this week that Anna Rawson had earned her LPGA Tour card. In addition to being a professional golfer, Rawson is also a professional model, which should increase the number of men now attending LPGA Tour events by 3,000 percent. If this is the first you're hearing any of this, here's a little moving pictures bio to get you up to speed:


My favorite quote, via Par Golf Magazine: "Rawson is the best looking golfer since Nick Faldo exited the 18th hole for the last time." Um, okay. Whatever, as I wrote a few days ago, the LPGA has to be ecstatic about the possibility of drawing more fans to the game, and hopefully Rawson will be more than just a pretty face. Yeah, maybe she can combine stunning good looks and world class golf. You know, like that handsome devil, Faldo.
%Gallery-8503%

Get to Know the LPGA Tour's Newest Face: Anna Rawson originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>anna rawsonAnnaRawsonnick faldoNickFaldoRyan WilsonFri, 07 Dec 2007 23:21:00 EST Anna Rawson, Professional Model, Earns LPGA Tour Cardhttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/anna-rawson-professional-model-earns-lpga-tour-card/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/anna-rawson-professional-model-earns-lpga-tour-card/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/anna-rawson-professional-model-earns-lpga-tour-card/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last month, LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis announced plans to revamp her image. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it involves less skin, more substance. Unlike men's professional sports, where the premium is on on-field talent (notable exception: goat-lovin' Tom Brady), female athletes are forever having to balance their physical ability with their physical appearance.

Which leads me to Anna Rawson, pro golf's version of Maria Sharapova. Except, unlike Sharapova, a professional tennis player who also happens to be blindingly attractive, Rawson is a professional model and a professional golfer. Rawson earned her LPGA Tour card last Sunday, and will compete on Tour in 2008. From the press release:
As GQ writer Benjie Goodhart said about Rawson, "They say Tiger Woods made golf popular with people who previously felt excluded from the game. This player could make golf popular with people who hate golf."
Or, more specifically, make Anna Rawson popular with pervs who hate golf. Whatever, I'm sure this is great news at LPGA Headquarters, where they are forever trying to figure out how to make women's golf more appealing to the masses. In the short term, Rawson will undoubtedly be popular. But if we've learned anything from Anna Kournikova (other than she has questionable taste in suitors), it also helps to be good.
%Gallery-8503%

Anna Rawson, Professional Model, Earns LPGA Tour Card originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>anna kounikovaanna rawsonAnnaKounikovaAnnaRawsonmaria sharapovaMariaSharapovanatalie gulbisNatalieGulbistom bradyTomBradyRyan WilsonWed, 05 Dec 2007 18:39:00 EST Natalie Gulbis Looks to Change Her Imagehttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/11/10/natalie-gulbis-looks-to-change-her-image/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/11/10/natalie-gulbis-looks-to-change-her-image/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/11/10/natalie-gulbis-looks-to-change-her-image/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported earlier this week that LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis was revamping here public persona. Specifically, according to her new marketing shop, Circle S Studios, less skin and more image:
"With the original stuff, she was in a beautiful bathing suit, tights and things and that certainly got the attention of a lot of people," said Circle S President and Managing Partner Susan Hogg. "But we're trying to scoot it more to who she is and where she wants to take [her career and name] . . . and being a role model, specifically to young girls and women in general. That's the brand we're trying to portray."
That's great ... except it ain't true, according to Gulbis' peeps.
"Her brand is still the all-American girl who is very smart, very driven and very conscious of fitness who just happens to be a very good golfer."
The Gulbis camp admits that there aren't any swimsuit shots in the '08 calendar, which makes this whole public rebuttal kinda weird. Especially given that the USGA banned sales of Gulbis' calendars at this year's U.S. Open because they were too risque.

Meanwhile, Gulbis just wrapped up a Winn Grips spot with Butch Harmon and John Daly. It's a safe bet we won't be seeing anybody in swimsuits for that commercial. At least I hope not, anyway. %Gallery-8503%

Natalie Gulbis Looks to Change Her Image originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>butch harmonButchHarmonjohn dalyJohnDalynatalie gulbisNatalieGulbisRyan WilsonSat, 10 Nov 2007 12:44:00 EST David Leadbetter Doesn't Really Think the Wie's Are Like the Titanichttp://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/10/31/david-leadbetter-doesnt-really-think-the-wies-are-like-the-tit/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/10/31/david-leadbetter-doesnt-really-think-the-wies-are-like-the-tit/http://golf.fanhouse.com/2007/10/31/david-leadbetter-doesnt-really-think-the-wies-are-like-the-tit/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hey, finally, some good news for Michelle Wie. After being called out by Dottie Pepper (again), having her agent quit (the second one in as many years), and listening to everybody question Wie's parents' child-rearing skills, a lone voice comes to Michelle's defense. That's right, her swing coach, David Leadbetter, is staying with his client ... even though he described the situation surrounding the 18-year-old as "Titanic"-like:
Leadbetter in no way threw Wie under the bus, nor was he leaving Wie. His reference to the Titanic clearly indicated he was concerned about her. That's the mark of somebody who cares, not somebody who's jumping ship.

"I have every hope that Michelle will come back strong next year," Leadbetter said. "She's physically much stronger. She's not hurting. Now it's a matter of getting her belief system back to where it was, when she played very brave golf and had no fear of failure."
Whatever, I'm glad Leadbetter is staying put. Some people aren't crazy about his coaching style, but right now, a steadying influence in Wie's life is much more important than tightening up her backswing. Besides, have you seen her play recently? I don't think there's anything anybody -- short of Charles Barkley, maybe -- could do to make her more inconsistent.

David Leadbetter Doesn't Really Think the Wie's Are Like the Titanic originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>charles barkleyCharlesBarkleydavid leadbetterDavidLeadbettermichelle wieMichelleWieRyan WilsonWed, 31 Oct 2007 20:16:00 EST