US Women's Open: Pinehurst hosts men's & women's Opens
Last updated on .From the section Golf
Network TV cameras homed in on Lexi Thompson striding down the fairway on one of the biggest days of the golfing year.
The 19-year-old American star wasn't even playing. She was watching Martin Kaymer's march to glory in the men's US Open last Sunday.
Ordinarily, she would have been hundreds or even thousands of miles away in another part of the United States.
But she would have been doing exactly what she was doing last Sunday, preparing for the most important event on the women's schedule.
This time, though, she was able to do it on the same course while it was being used by the men, and golf fans were able to see it.
The US Women's Open will be staged on the Pinehurst Number 2 layout when it starts on Thursday. It is the first time the United States Golf Association (USGA) has run the tournaments back-to-back at the same venue.
| US Open Championships 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Men's Open | Women's Open |
| Par: 70 | Par: 70 |
| Length: 7,562 yards | Length: 6,649 yards |
| Players: 156 | Players: 156 |
| Prize fund: $9m (£5,300,977) | Prize fund: $4m (£2,357,670) |
| Winner's share: $162,000,0 (£954,000) | Winner's share: $585,000 (£345,000) |
| Course rating: 76.0 | Course rating: 78.1 |
| Slope rating: 147 | Slope rating: 145 |
Thompson was among several leading contenders to be seen practising alongside the men last Sunday. Then the women took the chance to walk and watch the championship's climax - and the TV cameras were there to film them.
It is a refreshing move that can benefit the women's game hugely. By sharing the same stage as the men, it has already received more media attention than usual.
"Obviously Wimbledon's coming up next week and we're getting what the women's tennis players get in a sense," British qualifier Holly Clyburn told BBC Sport.
"It's the first time they've done it and if it comes off it could prove the way forward. It's good for us because we get a sneaky peek and an extra idea of how to hit different shots and what the course is going to be playing like.
"I think it's a step forward for women's golf because it gets a bit more recognised and hopefully the crowds will stay around as well."
The course will be shortened from the monstrous proportions faced by the men. It will measure about 6,500 yards and plenty of water is expected to be applied after the dry conditions of last week.
It will still be an immense test but it should showcase women's golf brilliantly. The sport has been missing a trick by not finding ways for female stars to share the same spotlight as their male counterparts.
There is no logistical reason, for example, for men's and women's matchplay tournaments not to be played at the same time and on the same course.
Provided television contracts were in place, it would allow for more matches to be shown during the weekends when fewer games are being played. There would be more variety for viewers and a better TV product.
Perhaps this move will act as a prompt for such thinking.
In the meantime, let us see how the women cope with the challenge of a course that left only three men under par last week.
While the USGA deserves credit for this enlightened move, it should be criticised for an entry criteria that does not allow for the leading golfer on the Ladies' European Tour to compete.
It is ludicrous that Charley Hull, ranked 34 in the world and already a Solheim Cup hero, is not in the field. She is one of the most exciting talents in the game, yet only the top 25 from the rankings are guaranteed a spot.
Britain's best hope for success is Scotland's Catriona Matthew. In the men's event, Kaymer spoke of his prowess with his iron play being key to his success.
Matthew, the Women's British Open champion of 2009, is particularly strong in that aspect of the game and has the experience and patience for the Pinehurst test.
Given the unique circumstances of this US Women's Open, the tournament could finally get the recognition it deserves.
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"Soccer"? This is Britain DUDE we say Football here...
No... I play and watch cricket, but the same principle applies there (and to football for that matter).
The laws of supply and demand don't lie in general, but especially not in sport. Whoever heard of a sport where there's more demand than supply?! If there were more demand for women's golf then Sky would fill the void, believe me.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27858859
Problem is, the pre-historic fans of many clubs simply use it as a platform for offensive, tribal slagging matches, which makes moderation a pain in the butt. Shame, as much good debate to be had on all things WC.
Totally disagree. Why pay the same or give the same level of coverage when not even a tiny fraction of the same number of people are interested in it? Proof? 24 comments in 2 hours, maybe 4 of which are about the article.
Your reply is typical of somebody who can't construct an argument... just scream insults until they stick!
Why should two people be paid equally when different values are attached to their activities? It's like saying British ice hockey players should be paid the same football players on ground of equality. There are differing levels of demand. Discuss rather than squealing abuse.
The same women who set up "women only" golf clubs would be the first ones to complain if a "men only" club opened in their town.
Regarding charley hull she had the opportunity to qualify by right but chose not to. Fair play to dame Laura for going down that route and qualifying.
"Why shouldn't the BBC cover the elite of womens' respective sports?"
Not saying they shouldn't but there are currently no HYS threads open for the largest sporting event on the planet.
Why is that ?
I know the BBC want us all to take more interest in women's sport...never going to happen and that's just a fact if life.
There are a lot of women haters on here. Women's sport hardly ever gets reported. It's very petty to dis it.
"@30 as mentioned before because the football threads quickly descend into the tribal abusive shouting matches, until the football fans can conduct themselves better, it's not worth the moderators time to bother with it"
BBC needs to remember who pays the licence fee because I suspect that many (not all) will be football fans and few will be interested in ladies golf.
Believe it or not the BBC doesn't just cater for the whims of football fans. It may surprise you to know that not everyone spends all their lives thinking and talking about football and the BBC has to try to be fair to all sports fans.