‘Support Us’: Veteran LPGA Golfer Explains Why the Women’s Game Is StrugglingAnjana PrabhakaranEssentiallySports

The golf world is always thrilled whenever a PGA Tour event begins. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour doesn’t get the same reception from fans. There exists a lot of disparity between the men’s and the women’s tours, in terms of pay and viewership. What does veteran LPGA golfer Michelle Wie West think is the reason behind it, and how can it be changed? 

“Support us!” the veteran of the women’s Tour, Michelle Wie West, expressed her opinion on the matter. “I think it starts with podcasts like yourselves having me as a female on,” she added. 

Wie discussed how to grow women’s golf in a recent episode of the Golf Subpar podcast hosted by former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. 

Michelle Wie began to play at a very young age of 4. Including the youngest winner of the 2001 Jennie K. Wilson Invitational, Wie had set several records as an amateur golfer. Although she turned professional in 2005, she didn’t join the LPGA Tour until 2009. Notably, she earned the Tour ticket on her first attempt.

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Wie has won 5 championship titles, including the U. S. Women’s Open in 2014. Michelle had also competed for Team USA 5 times in the Solheim Cup.

As a veteran golfer, Wie understands what makes and breaks the game for women on the Tour. And so, she shared the same on the podcast. 

The veteran LPGA golfer revealed the main problem the women’s Tour faces!

“Money makes money,” Wie exclaimed in the Golf Subpar podcast. “There has to be a significant investment from broadcast and networks to put in the same amount of network investment on the LPGA Tour.” 

Jun 27, 2021; John’s Creek, Georgia, USA; Fellow players and friends spray Nelly Korda as she celebrates winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

She explained that the broadcasting networks use more cameras on PGA Tour than on the women’s Tour. Furthermore, the technologies provided for the men’s tour are more advanced as well. 

“We have great entertaining values, and really entertaining players,” Michelle stated. However, according to her, it doesn’t reach the audience as the broadcasters do not provide the required technology. 

“When you have a less entertaining product, people are not gonna watch it,” Michelle Wie  West stated. Additionally, she explained that the broadcasting networks and sponsors invest more money in the men’s Tour. According to her, more money will attract more viewership!

What do you think of the veteran golfer’s opinion? Do you have more suggestions on uplifting women’s golf? Feel free to share your thoughts!

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