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‘Minjee Lee shouldn’t be caddying for anyone’ – Par 3 contest reignites Women’s Masters debate

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The Par 3 contest at Augusta National is typically the calm before the storm, as partners, kids, and even celebrities join forces with the pros for an afternoon of entertainment.

This year’s contest was cut short by an actual storm, but there was still plenty going on at the event to get people talking, and none more so than the appearance of Minjee Lee, sister to Min Woo, who is making his debut at the tournament this week.

The World Number four in the world, Minjee and current holder of the Evian Championship last year, played a supporting role to her brother on Wednesday before getting her chance on one of the holes and sticking her approach close.

Following the contest, Minjee took to social media to share her delight at caddying for her brother at the event before some golf fans declared it was high time that the top women players had their chance to compete at Augusta National.

Twitter user @HgMac6 wrote: 

“Sorry that I don’t find this cute. Minjee Lee is #4 in the world.. much better than her brother. Minjee shouldn’t be caddying for anyone… the world’s best women PRO golfers should get to play at Augusta…. It should be like tennis .. men and women should play the same Majors.”

Prominent golf writer/tipster for Sporting Life Ben Coley also weighed in with a similar view, saying:

“This is lovely but also it makes for a pretty stark contrast: up-and-coming brother preparing to play Augusta; world-class sister has to make do with being a caddie in the par-3. Absolutely mad that there is still not a Women’s Masters for Minjee Lee to play in too.”

While when I wrote in 2018 ‘Why the LPGA deserves a major championship at Augusta National‘ for GolfWRX, my view was (and remains the same) that:

“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.”

Augusta National deserves plenty of credit for the work it was done with the ANWA and the impact that has had.

Chairman Billy Payne said the event would have the “greatest impact on women’s golf.” The winner of the inaugural ANWA was Jennifer Kupcho, who last week won the first women’s major of the year, the Chevron Championship.

So what do you think? Is it time the LPGA pros got their chance to tackle Augusta National, or should things stay as they are?

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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

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On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

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54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

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After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

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As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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