MICHELE'S "SUFFERING"
WILL CONTINUE IF
SHE KEEPS ON
PLAYING MEN'S EVENTS,

says KEN SCHOFIELD
Michelle Wie will continue to “suffer” if she persists in taking on the men at their own game – that’s the view of Ken Schofield CBE, former CEO of the PGA European Tour, speaking on the opening day of the second GolfEx Dubai, the premier exhibition for the region’s golf industry.
“Will someone please tell the lovely Michelle Wie that the ladies have a superb tour and history?” said the Scot (pictured right).
“She would do well to focus on that and add to it – or maybe she believes she is right to play with the men and suffer and suffer.”
But Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour Executive Director, said: “If she (Wie) believes she can do it, then why not? These players are there to elevate women’s golf to another level and we have to work with that.”
Schofield, who is part of a seven-man panel looking into why England’s cricketers suffered so humiliatingly to Australia this winter, also questioned whether co-sanctioned tours are beneficial to mid-range professionals who struggle to play enough tournaments.
WAY FORWARD?
“If you look at the Buick Tournament that’s played over two courses, maybe that is the way forward,” he said. “I’m sure that a prize money cap wouldn’t be popular with the players.”
Schofield also paid tribute to Tiger Woods’ remarkable consistency over the last ten years and his willingness to play worldwide and be seen as the premier ‘global golfer’.
He also rejected as an “insult” the suggestion that the US team’s poor record in the Ryder Cup was down to an uncaring approach.
Armas highlighted the ongoing growth in the Ladies European Tour, which has four new tournaments this year, taking the total to 24. But she acknowledged greater efforts still need to be made in promoting the women’s game and challenging old perceptions - the average prize fund for women’s events is 400,000 Euros, far below that of most men’s events.
YOUNG AND FASHIONABLE
“There’s an image of it as boring, old and traditional but the reality is it’s young and fashionable,” she said. “We have to work hard to get the message across.”
The biggest event in the ladies’ calendar, the Solheim Cup, will be held in Halmstad from September 14-16.