Paul:
She was 3-0-1, and although she didn't play great down the stretch in her halved match, Pressel really left her alone on several holes, including a topped shot in the water late in the match. Adn I'd argue it wasn't just her record in the matches; it was the way she won, with bold play after bold play -- she was both aggressive and really good, which as a combination for watching golf is about as good as you can ask for (like Norman in his prime, or Tiger until the last few years
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I raised the question because, as has been discussed here and elsewhere, the LPGA does need a shot in the arm. Some appropriate steps seem to have been taken, such as the resignation of an overbearing commissioner, and sponsorships I'm convinced will turn around when the economy improves, which it will. The LPGA to me doesn't have to be nearly as big of a draw as the PGA, or other major sporting leagues, and it has a number of good, young players -- Creamer, Pressel, Ochoa among them -- to serve as a draw.
But sporting leagues often depend on a few big-name draws to personify the sport -- basketball I'd argue was in some trouble before Magic, Bird and esp. Jordan came along -- and Jordan had that ability -- both athletic and personality -- to transcend the sport and become an icon. I'd argue the PGA Tour was in danger of similar duldrums before Tiger came along -- he didn't rescue the Tour, but he made it a lot more compelling to watch. He's probably the most famous athlete on the planet. For years now, TV ratings and tournament crowds are noticeably higher with Tiger in the field than not. And he doesn't always have to win -- just do stuff that no one else can do, which he does fairly regularly.
I think Wie -- moreso than any other female golfer -- has that potential. I came pretty darn close to hopping in my car and driving three hours to watch her yesterday. I wonder how many other folks closer to Chicago did just that this weekend -- the crowds looked really big and enthusiastic.