US Open Week - Dream Time

Image via WikipediaFor the guys, this is US Open week and for many of the women it's Open Qualifying week. Thousands of people enter the USGA Open Championships and play for the few spots that remain after the exempt places are filled. They are following their dreams.
One of my students is playing today in one such qualifying event, hoping to qualify for the third consecutive year. Whether she is successful or not, she represents the new breed of teenage female golfer vying to knock the veteran players from their perches at the top of the women's game.
No wonder Annika is retiring. She's had her day in the sun, won her majors, made millions and now she's going to concentrate on raising a family and perusing her business interests.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Annika's retirement is that she opens up a spot in the field for another player, someone trying to establish themselves in this great game and maybe one day win a tournament, or a major or the Grand Slam.
Perhaps it's time that the LPGA and PGA Tour should take a look at the number of exempt spots that are available each week. I know that the crowds want to see Tiger, Ernie and Phil rather than Joe Bag-of-Doughnuts but there are too many boring cookie-cutter players out there making a great living and providing no excitement or added value to the game.
Let's have 9 spots available through Monday qualifying every week. Some LPGA events have done away with Monday qualifying in favor of sponsors exemptions which is a shame and could easily be rectified by reducing the number of exempt players or by increasing the size of the field.
9 more players is only three more tee times. They don't need to have more players making the cut and so it won't cost any more but it might just allow someone to fulfill their dream of playing on Tour.