Opinion & Analysis
Why the LPGA deserves a major championship at Augusta National
A holy “tradition unlike any other” or a contrived event deliberately cloaked in mystery, whatever your opinion is, Augusta National has represented the pinnacle of golf for years.
The elite southern club’s allure has grown to a crescendo over the years. So much so that it brought Rory McIlroy to declare that the Masters is now “the biggest golf tournament in the world.” It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the club, however, which has fought hard in recent times to make restitution for its murky past.
One of those moves was made last April when the club announced that it would host the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship. However, instead of the groundbreaking step to host a women’s event on the hallowed turf of Augusta National uniting women’s golf, it divided it.
The Championship is due to be held the week before the Masters, clashing with the LPGA’s opening major of the season, the ANA Inspiration, which created unnecessary pressure on the LPGA to move the event. While the announcement also produced jealousy amongst LPGA Tour professionals who long for an opportunity to play a tournament at the Georgian club.
At the time, world No. 5 Lexi Thompson reflected on the news saying, “I think we all as women want to play there. It’s on our bucket list.” While two-time major champion Brittany Lincicome stated, “I wish I was an amateur. I’ve never gotten to play Augusta. I’m super jealous.”
This week, the LPGA announced that in 2019, prize money would rise from $65.35 million to $70.55 million, as the women’s game continues to show its strength and growth. But what the Tour truly needs is a game-changing moment, and that moment will arrive if Augusta National decides to open its doors to the LPGA.
Whether you’re a fan of women’s golf or not, there is little doubt that a LPGA major event hosted at Augusta National would grip golf fans. It may be the one course in the world where the majority of fans would be happy to watch two high handicappers hack their way around for 18 holes, let alone watch the best players in women’s golf battle it out for 72 holes.
The LPGA has global stars such as the likes of Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko and Michelle Wie, and the quality of golf on display, combined with the continued growth of the Tour deserves to be rewarded by allowing these players the opportunity to compete at Augusta National.
An LPGA tournament at Augusta National would not just be for these professionals, or onlookers who want an extra few days a year to peek inside the hallowed grounds. The event would see ratings that women’s golf has never before seen, and it would be the ideal platform for golf fans, many of whom will have similar swing-speeds to these women, to recognize the excellence that these women possess at one of golf’s grandest stages.
The LPGA players deserve the same equal opportunity as the male players. There may never be the same general interest in the women’s game compared to the men. However, inclusivity is an area that has too often been lacking in the game of golf, and there is now more than enough quality and interest in the women’s game to justify Augusta National staging a women’s major championship.
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Of all the clubs in our bags, wedges are almost always the simplest in construction and, therefore, the easiest to analyze what might make one work differently from another if you know what to look for.
Wedges are a lot less mysterious than drivers, of course, as the major brands are working with a lot of “pixie dust” inside these modern marvels. That’s carrying over more to irons now, with so many new models featuring internal multi-material technologies, and almost all of them having a “badge” or insert in the back to allow more complex graphics while hiding the actual distribution of mass.
But when it comes to wedges, most on the market today are still single pieces of molded steel, either cast or forged into that shape. So, if you look closely at where the mass is distributed, it’s pretty clear how that wedge is going to perform.
To start, because of their wider soles, the majority of the mass of almost any wedge is along the bottom third of the clubhead. So, the best wedge shots are always those hit between the 2nd and 5th grooves so that more mass is directly behind that impact. Elite tour professionals practice incessantly to learn to do that consistently, wearing out a spot about the size of a penny right there. If impact moves higher than that, the face is dramatically thinner, so smash factor is compromised significantly, which reduces the overall distance the ball will fly.
Every one of us, tour players included, knows that maddening shot that we feel a bit high on the face and it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s not your fault.
If your wedges show a wear pattern the size of a silver dollar, and centered above the 3rd or 4th groove, you are not getting anywhere near the same performance from shot to shot. Robot testing proves impact even two to three grooves higher in the face can cause distance loss of up to 35 to 55 feet with modern ‘tour design’ wedges.
In addition, as impact moves above the center of mass, the golf club principle of gear effect causes the ball to fly higher with less spin. Think of modern drivers for a minute. The “holy grail” of driving is high launch and low spin, and the driver engineers are pulling out all stops to get the mass as low in the clubhead as possible to optimize this combination.
Where is all the mass in your wedges? Low. So, disregarding the higher lofts, wedges “want” to launch the ball high with low spin – exactly the opposite of what good wedge play requires penetrating ball flight with high spin.
While almost all major brand wedges have begun putting a tiny bit more thickness in the top portion of the clubhead, conventional and modern ‘tour design’ wedges perform pretty much like they always have. Elite players learn to hit those crisp, spinny penetrating wedge shots by spending lots of practice time learning to consistently make contact low in the face.
So, what about grooves and face texture?
Grooves on any club can only do so much, and no one has any material advantage here. The USGA tightly defines what we manufacturers can do with grooves and face texture, and modern manufacturing techniques allow all of us to push those limits ever closer. And we all do. End of story.
Then there’s the topic of bounce and grinds, the most complex and confusing part of the wedge formula. Many top brands offer a complex array of sole configurations, all of them admittedly specialized to a particular kind of lie or turf conditions, and/or a particular divot pattern.
But if you don’t play the same turf all the time, and make the same size divot on every swing, how would you ever figure this out?
The only way is to take any wedge you are considering and play it a few rounds, hitting all the shots you face and observing the results. There’s simply no other way.
So, hopefully this will inspire a lively conversation in our comments section, and I’ll chime in to answer any questions you might have.
And next week, I’ll dive into the rest of the wedge formula. Yes, shafts, grips and specifications are essential, too.
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Golf's Perfect Imperfections
Golf’s Perfect Imperfections: Amazing Session with Performance Coach Savannah Meyer-Clement
In this week’s episode, we spent some time with performance coach Savannah Meyer-Clement who provides many useful insights that you’ll be able to implement on the golf course.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle
Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.
Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.
The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.
Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.
Past Winners at Harbour Town
- 2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
- 2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
- 2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
- 2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
- 2019: CT Pan (-12)
- 2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
- 2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
- 2016: Branden Grace (-9)
- 2015: Jim Furyk (-18)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Harbour Town
Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
- Tom Hoge (+1.27)
- Corey Conners (+1.16)
- Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
- Cameron Young (+0.93)
Good Drive %
The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (88.8%)
- Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
- Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
- Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
- Sepp Straka (+85.1%)
Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs
Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.
SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:
- Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
- Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
- Brian Harman (+1.89)
- Sungjae Im (+1.58)
4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)
Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.
SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds
- Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
- Taylor Moore (+1.02)
- Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
- Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
- Andrew Putnam (+0.83)
5. Greens in Regulation %
The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.
Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:
- Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
- Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
- Corey Conners (+69.0%)
- Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
- Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)
6. Course History
Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.
Course History over past 24 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
- Cam Davis (+2.05)
- J.T. Poston (+1.69)
- Justin Rose (+1.68)
- Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)
The RBC Heritage Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)
- Shane Lowry
- Russell Henley
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- Corey Conners
- Wyndham Clark
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Cameron Young
- Ludvig Aberg
2024 RBC Heritage Picks
Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)
With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.
Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).
Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.
Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)
I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.
The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.
Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)
Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.
Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.
Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)
Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.
At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.
In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.
Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.
Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)
When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.
Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.
Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.
Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)
This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.
Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.
Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.
Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.
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Larry
Dec 12, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Not to be get into a conversation if this is male vs. female but I think the writer answered his own questions in the first line. “A tradition unlike any other.”
So there you have it, you’re not going to replicate the Master’s, the LPGA should look for another prestigious venue that is not used by the PGA Tour to create their own “Master’s” that girls can dream of playing as theyre growing up, because a Women’s Masters will never compete with the popularity of the Masters.
Blake
Dec 10, 2018 at 10:46 am
No one would watch after day one. WOmen would have to play form the members tees which dont look the same and then they would be playing the second shot from much farther away from the green and less likely to hold the green.
Tom
Dec 10, 2018 at 1:42 am
Ain’t no buyers for what they’re sellin!
Ronald Montesano
Dec 9, 2018 at 11:27 pm
I disagree. Why celebrate a club that kept women out for so long, with an LPGA major? This is a historically short-sighted suggestion. Women should chart their own course, not curry favor with men’s coattails. The women’s open at Sebonack, in 2013, was the type of groundbreaking achievement you should cover, not some regressive ANGC hand-me-down.
a millennial
Dec 9, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Say we have LPGA Masters @ August National, who will watch? What TV channel will broadcast?
If the equality and Deserve are issue, why dont we have one PGA tournaments consisting both sex. Then problem solved?
Of course, some will say it is NOT fair as the most fairness lies.
Thus, I totally disagree with the writer. I rather see women writer, who knows in & out of the golf history commenting on this topic. Not this dude.
Hawkeye77
Dec 8, 2018 at 10:50 pm
Click bait populist nonsense from a writer who continues to demonstrate he really doesn’t have any real sense of golf or the history of the game.
Can we get some interns to start writing here?
noble mind
Dec 8, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Hey, while we’re at it…
Why don’t we speak for the 99.9% of golfers that will NEVER play Augusta National. Yeah, isn’t that unfair? Everyone should play Augusta National – equal golf rights! Inclusivity all the way!
Not. It’s a private club. They have their own rules. They can do whatever they want. Period.
This article attempts to take a “progressive” stance by trying to solve the issue of lack of inclusivity in golf.. but really, this is as backwards as it gets. The American ideals of living in a free country where you can start your own business, create your own opportunity, and call your own shots.. is inherently progressive and what makes our country so great. That means you can start your own Augusta National, make it your own idea of a great golf course, and host a major championship that only women can play on (if you so wish). And that would be totally awesome.
Would it be cool to watch the LPGA play at Augusta National? Absolutely. But don’t ride the political coattails regarding lack of inclusivity.
JP
Dec 8, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Call it what it is… Socialism
ChipNRun
Dec 8, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Augusta National runs its own show for the Masters, so this overlap may indicate a lack of communication among Augusta, the PGA and the LPGA.
As far as slotting the LPGA event at Augusta the week BEFORE the Masters, what would this do to the course having two large tournaments back-to-back? What does the Augusta National greenskeeper think about this? That’s a lot of wear and tear on the course.
Also, coordinating the logistics for a 1+1 would be mind-boggling. Would one overall crew run both tournaments and coordinate two teams of volunteers? How would this work?
Possible the LPGA could come in two weeks AFTER the Master’s.
Bert Gwaltney
Dec 8, 2018 at 6:53 pm
The LPGA deserves nothing! Why? One comment was to have an event at Cypress Point. Good choice.
Johnny Penso
Dec 8, 2018 at 3:11 pm
“Deserve” is absolutely the wrong word to assign to this discussion. Deserve implies entitlement and there is no entitlement to play at a golf course. The discussion should revolve around whether the idea has merit on it’s face, is it good for the game of golf, good for the women’s game? etc. IMO yes it is. Augusta is arguably the most revered golf course in the world and one can argue it’s importance as a tournament as well. I made this argument the other day on a different thread about women’s golf and my point remains the same. I think it’ll be good for golf, good for the women as well and for girls coming into the game. I’d have one caveat though. It has to be a major from Day 1 and they’d have to drop a major, maybe 2. IMO both tours should have 4 majors, 6 is definitely too many.
One can argue about the event’s exclusivity being part of it’s charm but I think that’s bogus quite frankly. There will be no change to the prestige of this tournament for as long as it’s played.
I guess I’m the idiot
Dec 8, 2018 at 7:43 am
Can I ask one simple question? How did you guys feel when they first let black people play there in 1990? Wasn’t that long ago. Was it approached with the same fervent attitude as this proposal?
Brian McGranahan
Dec 8, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Lee Elder played in the Masters in 1975.
Brian McGranahan
Dec 8, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Lee Elder played The Masters in 1975. Again.
Funkaholic
Dec 10, 2018 at 11:20 am
Your guess is correct, you are in fact an idiot.
bk
Dec 8, 2018 at 6:31 am
Deserve’s got nothing to do with it. Did Martha Burke put you up to this? Grow up kid.
Frankie
Dec 8, 2018 at 1:58 am
Have it at Cypress Point instead of Augusta National because a woman found it. There’s your equality right there.
Tom
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:26 pm
LPGA = Asia Ladies Tour….no thanks!
Scott Ivlow
Dec 10, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Your statement is stupid. That like saying the Masters= the European Tour. If paid any attention there are many American women on the LPGA.
Tim
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:26 pm
Well would they have to tame the course for the women? If they did it wouldn’t really be fair would it? If the LPGA were to play it in the condition the men do for The Masters the women would get eaten up. It would not be fun to watch the LPGA women 3-4 jack most of those greens.
Bob Barker
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:01 pm
Leftist progress = Society regress
Pierre Morgan
Dec 7, 2018 at 9:55 pm
Third wave fe minism has become a cancer that is destroying the moral fabric of the West. Women are now fighting their biological imperative and are more miserable than ever trying to behave like men.
Uncle Adolf 1488
Dec 7, 2018 at 9:51 pm
Third wave femini sm pushed by the left had destroyed the moral fabric of our society. Women are natural caregivers and are not leaders, thanks to the lie that they are being held down by the patriarch they have never been more miserable. Fighting your biological imperative is never a good thing. Feminis m = cancer.
Scheiss
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:50 pm
They’ll always have Lingerie Football
Eric
Dec 7, 2018 at 7:45 pm
It’s OK to be a man. It’s OK to be a woman. It’s OK if you’re a PRIVATE club/organization to have your own rules. Go start your own Augusta or whatever and make your own rules. It’s like this country is so adverse to having ANY exclusion. I am a man and there are certain places that only women are allowed to be or join that I can’t…and I’m not going to get upset because they’re excluding me. Their private club, their rules. I’m also a male model. We get paid less than women models. WOMEN models are in higher demand, there are certain events that I can’t go to because I’m a MALE – sorry, when men start to be in higher demand, we’ll get paid more. Until then, I’ll just shut up and keep working and be thankful for the opportunities I do have.
This golf thing isn’t about who is capable of playing well and who’s not and who may or may not deserve to play blah blah. It’s about their rules, their money, their house. Stop complaining and go start your own club. LIfe isn’t fair, get over it.
Dr Troy
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Best post today.
JP
Dec 8, 2018 at 1:42 am
Amen brother!
Bill Parsons
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:58 pm
How many times have you picked up the remote to put on the golf channel and saw it was the LPGA on at the moment and felt super disappointed? It happens to me a lot.
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Same. It’s almost like they need to be playing at better courses to make it interesting.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Haha. They just need to NOT televise it. I’d rather watch reruns of Feherty.
Billy p
Dec 8, 2018 at 3:13 am
They could be playing on the moon. No one cares
george
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Some of these comments is what is wrong with golf. Grow up and let the ladies be a part of it. Geez its just a sport and it is ok to share it with others. Didnt realize a women’s golf tournament at Augusta really gets your depends diapers in a bunch.
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Thank you.
Tim Tracks
Dec 8, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Found the cuck right here. If we keep on letting women push more and more there will be nothing left of our once civilized society. Please watch the Black Piegeon Speaks video about “Why women destroy nations and other uncomfortable truths” it will help you.
^^This dude is deathly afraid of women
Dec 8, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Show me on the doll where the women hurt you Tim
Tim Tracks
Dec 9, 2018 at 9:10 am
Not an argument moron. Keep holding your head in the sand Cuck.
Tim Tracks
Dec 9, 2018 at 9:13 am
Not an argument. Keep burying your head in the sand c uck boy. It’s because of weak men like yourself the west is in the mess it is in.
Tom
Dec 7, 2018 at 1:26 pm
LPGA, WNBA same story, nobody wants to watch. No viewers, no advertisers, no interest no money….very simple.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Preach the TRUTH!
Mike C
Dec 7, 2018 at 1:04 pm
The problem with Augusta National hosting a women’s major is that the whole allure of Augusta is the exclusivity. If it becomes overexposed it loses it’s appeal which is the whole reason you want a tournament there to begin with.
Jamie
Dec 7, 2018 at 12:28 pm
So have a tournament for the sole purpose of catering to women? That’s sexist. Change women to men and you can see why.
Brian
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:14 pm
This doesn’t make any sense. There’s already a men’s only tournament there.
I don’t think this is how sexism works…
James Glenn
Dec 8, 2018 at 8:17 am
To be fair, it’s not specifically “men’s only.” If a woman were able to get herself into the Top 50 of the World Golf Rankings or win on the PGA Tour, they would automatically get an invite.
Fergie
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:50 am
If Augusta consents to it, I think it would be great to have an LPGA Masters there.
We’ve seen Asian players literally dominate the LPGA over the years. More emphasis on womens golf and high visibility televised events may get women more interested in golf in America. Hopefully, it would help grow the game.
At the course I play, I see an occasional female high school or college team player playing practice rounds, or, more often, older ladies playing friendly rounds with their husbands. I’d like to see more young women (not necessarily tethered to husbands) drawn to the game, invested in it.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Placing emphasis on something nobody cares about is pointless. And it takes away from Augusta National’s allure. It takes something that is held in high esteem and lessens it.
CaoNiMa
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Fergie is racist.
The fastest growing immigrant population in America is Asian
Fergie
Dec 7, 2018 at 6:33 pm
. . . And, Mexican Americans are the second fastest growing demographic.
So what?
I’m not talking about “white” women.
I’m talking about American women.
When I say Asian women, I’m talking about Koreans, Japanese, etc.
Their culture embraces women’s golf.
American culture obviously does not.
About 70% of the responses here testify to that!
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Dude how do you get to that conclusion from that statement? Can you even read? Fergie is merely alluding to the challenge with amateur woman’s golf in America and how Asian countries do a better job at creating woman professional golfers currently.
Fergie
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:51 pm
Yeah, and the second fastest is Latino. So what? I said, grow the game in America, not grow the game for white women.
I’ve been married to an Asian for 27 years.
Who’s the bigot, now?
CaoNiMa
Dec 8, 2018 at 1:57 am
Prove it. Links to your home pages.
If not, then you’re just another idiot troll who’s not very smart, who just complains on a place like this, thinking that complaining behind a concealed ID is being intelligent. It’s not. You’re not.
Fergie
Dec 8, 2018 at 3:52 pm
I’m not linking you to anything, Idiot.
She’s half Chinese, half Pacific Islander. 100% naturalized US citizen.
Not a ChiCom.
CaoNiMa
Dec 8, 2018 at 4:16 pm
So no proof. All talk. All BS
I guess I’m an idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:08 am
The Masters is easily my favorite major of the year, but for people to completely ignore Augusta National’s shady, racist past just shows how out of touch people are. The fact that woman who are way better than any of you will ever be, simply want an opportunity to play competitive golf at the #1 course in the world, and that is a future you wouldn’t condone, is unbelievable. What do you tell your daughters?
Jamie
Dec 7, 2018 at 12:32 pm
That you’re an idiot. Are you even capable of procreation, cakeboy? Augusta is a private club and can make its own rules. Women can start their own club and have their own tournaments. But I guess it’s just easier to tell gov to take from others and redistribute?
I guess I’m an idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Dude, so let me understand this. Because I’m arguing that women should have the ability to play an event at the best course in the country, you’re questioning my ability to procreate?
Being a middle aged man with a name like Jamie, I can tell you’ve dealt with some shit. Either that or it sounds like some woman ran an absolute TRAIN on you at some point in your life. Sorry about that man.
Brian
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:21 pm
They tell them how to be submissive to their future husbands. They tell them to learn how to cook and clean. They tell them it’s an honor to be looked upon with desire by men. But they don’t tell them anything empowering, because that might detract from their “masculinity”.
I’m glad we’re banging the same drum here. People know it takes money to make the game grow, but no one wants to be the one to take on the big risk to help the game make money. They’ll only jump on board once it’s safe to do so. Let the women play anywhere they want to. It’s obscene that this is still considered normal and acceptable.
Keep telling the truth. You’re one of the good ones.
Scheiss
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Two words, Idiot:
Lingerie Football
alexdub
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:53 am
Interesting that you reference the need for inclusivity in the sport. Isn’t that what ANGC has done with the amateur women’s event? Although professional women’s golf is noticeably short-sided with respect to coverage and attention in the golf world, women’s golf at the amateur level is discriminated and excluded at an exponentially higher level. Outside of the inclusion of women in USGA events and the widespread adoption of women’s golf at the collegiate level, ANGC’s new amateur event might be considered one of the most significant milestones ever in women’s golf.
Snowflakes suck
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:45 am
It’s a private club. They can do whatever the hell they want.
If you don’t like it, then maybe you should work your ass off and become a millionaire, then get invited by having a select group of friends in the right places and change their ways.
Until then…Get lost, losers.
eric
Dec 7, 2018 at 7:53 pm
“It’s a private club. They can do whatever the hell they want.
If you don’t like it, then maybe you should work your ass off and become a millionaire, then get invited by having a select group of friends in the right places and change their ways.
Until then…Get lost, losers.”
This a billion times over. I’ll never play Augusta. LIfe isn’t fair, I’ll get over it and someday I’ll die.
Clay
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:44 am
It would be fun to watch the LPGA play at Augusta, BUT it is a private club and they hold the right to pick and choose who plays their course. Why do we continue to attack private organizations in this country?
Jordan's still an idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:46 am
Because people are morons.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:38 pm
These same people would embrace socialism.
Don’t earn it, b*#%ch about it until it’s given to you…
This guy ^^^
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Bahhhhhhhh GET OFF MY LAWN!!!
I guess I’m the idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:13 am
Absolutely let them choose. It’s their club do what they want. Just don’t be surprised to get backlash. It took them until 1983 to stop exclusively using staffed black caddies. So I figure we’re on pace for an LPGA event by 2038?
AL
Dec 7, 2018 at 7:12 pm
News flash shit happened in the past and they corrected it. You dont like it stop watching Augusta events. Im sick of dumb ass people constantly beating a dead horse. I laugh when idiots act like men hate women or something. Women ARE NOT discriminated against. Mens entire lives are dedicated to making women happy. We all have mothers and wives and girlfriends who we love. Hell most of the time its the people crying foul who are really the non tolerant hateful types who cant stand anyone who speaks the truth to them. How about we have real equality and just allow anyone and everyone play in one league?
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:41 am
Some of these comments are amazing. I figure we have 20 more years of these old blowhards before they start dying off. After they suck social security dry of course.
Jordan's an idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:42 am
Dear idiot,
They paid into Social Security just like you and I. Are you saying they don’t deserve it?
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:55 am
It’s not our problem these good ole boy traditionalists were 1 of 8-10 siblings who all have zero future translatable workforce skills that they have to bleed social programs dry all because the future is “changing too fast for them”. But atelast they’ll get to watch good ole boys play golf at Augusta once a year.
T
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:29 am
How do you write an article supporting the LPGA and not include any of the 4 players ranked above Lexi Thompson that aren’t American as “worldwide superstars”? Nothing against Lexi, Lydia Ko and Michelle Wie but the international players are easily the biggest worldwide draw for the LPGA. This is super transparent and pretty clearly written by somebody who doesn’t watch much LPGA golf.
Thomas A
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:21 am
Bring it on. Let the old guard fade away in their stubborn stupidity as they should.
Yep, Jordan's still an idiot
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:49 am
Private club’s can do whatever they want. It has nothing to do with “The old guard”
Dr Troy
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:09 am
No….No….No….They have their own venues. Sorry, not sorry.
Brian McGranahan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:05 am
An SJW at his worst.
Why can’t the LPGA have it’s own majors. Why do some women and other SJW think women have to ride the coattails of men, i.e the wnba, lpga, wta?
Why aren’t the 5 majors they already have enough?
Marcus Aurelius
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:31 am
If I could somehow super like this comment.. I would. It is OK to have separate venues for men and women. “Progress” has been overused and weaponized to push leftist narratives and disrupt normal behavior – along with many other made up neologisms of the 21st century, especially those ending in ‘ist’,’ia’ and ‘obe’.
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:46 am
Women who are way better than you’ll ever be want to play competitive golf at the best course in the world, and you’re saying this is apart of a liberal narrative? WHAT?!
Also, who the hell are you to say what “normal behavior” is in the first place?
Jesus I hope you don’t have a daughter. She’s probably either a maid, seamstress, or a midwife by now.
JD
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:58 am
Who are you and why are you dictating what normal is?
Marcus Aurelius
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:11 am
Irrelevant comment – I’m not ‘dictating’ anything. Although I know who you are.. A soy-boy that probably cucks on most issues.
JD
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:19 am
Very active republican from the great state of Ohio. I think you’ve floated a little too far right of the bell curve though sir. Come back over a little more towards middle. It’s peaceful over here.
Marcus Aurelius
Dec 7, 2018 at 11:26 am
No bro, you need to wake up. You probably wont and continue your life as an NPC unfortunately.
david forsythe
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:01 am
Who is this kid? “….its murky past”.
Stop please.
sm
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:52 am
Yes murky..http://articles.latimes.com/1990-09-11/sports/sp-437_1_augusta-national-golf-club
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 9:46 am
I disagree.
I also think it was wrong to ever let a female play Augusta National. The old ways had it right.
Golfer Girl
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:42 am
As a female who has had the privilege of playing Augusta National, to someone who probably never will, kindly f off.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 2:31 pm
metoo privileged.
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:46 pm
To help you, this was about sexual abuse, and we’re talking about golf here. Keep it together JP!!!
I bet you were real confused when you forgot why you burned all your Nike stuff too.
JP
Dec 7, 2018 at 10:39 pm
I burned my nike shyyt because Kaepernig acts like an unpatriotic pig
Yes sirrr
Dec 8, 2018 at 8:56 pm
I feel like you could benefit from a good ass kicking. I think it would really help you.
Jordan
Dec 7, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Change scares the shit out of these people. That’s awesome you got to play there.
Now I’m going to go play an afternoon 9 with the Mrs. (she’s a 5 handicap, I know I’m blessed)