For the 2006 Women’s British Open, Jean Van de Velde claims he wants to be eligible.
“I just don’t understand it,” At the Volvo Masters last Thursday, Van de Velde said. “In addition, if my application is rejected, I will without a doubt seek advice and see how far it can go. I don’t want to be sexist, but I am trying to make a point.”
What’s his point? Van de Velde’s point is that, because the Royal and
Men should be able to qualify for the Women’s Open because Ancient changed its rules to allow women to do so. Is he making a point? No, that is not sexist. Yes, but it’s not a very compelling one.
We don’t even need to get into the crux of the matter, which is that many women wouldn’t be able to compete if men were allowed to participate in women’s events. (Not that Van de Velde would win the Women’s Open or perform well, mind you.) Given all the gender talk in golf the last few years—Annika Sorenstam playing on the PGA Tour, criticism of her presence by some men on Tour, Martha Burke’s protest of The Masters, a new wave of women golfers who can out drive some of the top men and may be able to
outplay them in the coming years—The argument made by Van de Velde is not any more convincing than the reason for choosing a team in elementary school kickball.
Do not you always want to play your best, Van de Velde, is my query to you. Wouldn’t Michelle Wie want to test her skills at a higher level of competition (for her) if her incredible drives and all-around talent have her playing at a level much higher than that found on the LPGA? Is there a problem with that in any way? No, I prefer the best, regardless of gender.
I witnessed Wie at the Women’s U.S. It’s not exactly riveting entertainment to watch Van de Velde, who is currently ranked #283 in the PGA Tour World Golf Ranking, compete in any tournament. It was entertaining to observe his triple bogey during the British Open at Carnoustie in 1999 while wearing pants that reached his knees in a guilty kind of way. But I’d rather watch Phil Mickelson winning the Masters two years ago, or Tiger
this year, than watch self destruction, a la Greg Norman’s disastrous performance at the Masters in 1996 or Van de Velde in 1999.
When he was 50 years old last year, Jay Haas had the opportunity to amass victories on the Champions Tour. Instead, he spent the majority of the year competing on the PGA Tour because he believed he was still competitive. And he did, earning eight top-10 finishes. With two victories to show for it, he spent more time on the Champions Tour this year. But for a year, he decided to devote the majority of his time to playing at a higher level despite being able to qualify for two Tours. “Playing at a higher level” is to take nothing away from the Champions Tour, as the same statement in the Van de Velde scenario would be to not detract from the LPGA. It’s all so
silly on many levels. Not acknowledging basic physical gender
characteristics is as silly as criticizing Sorenstam or any other woman for participating in or attempting to participate in a competition for men.
Following a strong start of 67 in the Chrysler Championship, Tom Lehman was looking good at 81-1 last week. In actuality, all three of my picks for the tournament—Retief Goosen and Charles Howell III were the other two—shot 67s on Thursday and were ranked first overall. However, none of them were able to succeed, as has happened a great deal this frustrating season. Lehman placed T44, Goosen T35, and Howell T16. Though I chose Goose to place higher than Vijay Singh, who missed the cut, and thus won the head-to-head matchup for the fourth consecutive tournament. Therefore I was finished
up a net $1,200 for the week as we go into the final official tournament of 2005.
This week: Tour commissioner Tim Finchem is expected to provide an update on the Tour’s 2007 schedule on Wednesday. The Tour Championship, the season-ending competition this week, is the focus of talk of a points race and playoff. I’ve been complaining about how long the season is and how few people are playing in tournaments after the PGA Championship in August, the final major of the year. We’ll see what they come up with. We’ll be in the same situation if they reschedule the Tour Championship while keeping the tournaments that come before it. That will effectively end the season earlier (good) while extend the silly season (bad), which will be what those tournaments become if the Tour Championship
is made a more pronounced Super Bowl than it is right now. We’ll see what they come up with, it’s tricky.
Without a doubt, Tiger must win the Tour Championship. Although he has won it before (in 1999), he hasn’t done so at East Lake Golf Club outside of Atlanta. In the previous season at East Lake, Tiger came in second place to Retief Goosen. He really wants this one, and I think he will get it, but with odds of 3.5-1, I can’t support him. That is simply not a business plan that will make money. To end the season on a high note and earn you some money, I’m going to dominate the final tournament.
Third unit: Ben Crane (66-1). The Tour’s slowest player could also have the best putting stroke. In a major competition, you have to like that. Despite being annoying to watch, Crane can score. He hasn’t missed a cut since the B.C. Open in July and, including his victory at the U.S. Open, has four times finished in the top 10. Milwaukee’s Bank Championship It shouldn’t come as a surprise that big names have won the Tour Championship over the past few years since only the best players are allowed to compete. Here’s to Crane
being this year’s Chad Campbell.
Consider Stuart Appleby, 1/3 unit (50-1). Because of his recent strong play (T9, T11, T58, T32, T27 in his last five tournaments) and experience (a touch of veteran), the Australian who won to start 2005 can win to end the season. The main issue is putting.
Third unit, Kenny Perry (40-1). I really like this selection. Perry hasn’t communicated with us much in the past few months. Only once for money—the WGC American Express Championship at the beginning of October—has he competed during that time span, on two occasions. But Perry had yet another outstanding year, taking home victories at Bay Hill and the Colonial in addition to five top-10s and six top-25 finishes. Perry’s ironwork continues to be terrifyingly impressive.
Take Crane to beat Sean O’Hair in head-to-head competition at 10/11odds (two units).