Nancy Lopez - does she belong on LPGA?

Question

She is an LPGA legend with 48 wins and has always been loved by the fans - just the way Arnold Palmer was. Last year at age 50 she decided to start playing on the LPGA again on sponsor's exemptions. She is playing again this year at age 51.

She has played 16 tournaments in the last 5 years and has finished last or close to last (missing the cut) in almost all of them. She has played twice this year, finishing last and second to last. In her first tournament this year she shot a 91 in the first round. She is driving the ball about 220 - far shorter than anyone else on the lpga.

So, is she embarassing herself? Would Jack Nicklaus allow himself to repeatedly finish last to a bunch of teenagers? Should sponsors keep giving her exemptions? Or is she still good for the LPGA?

Thoughts?

Answer 1

Firing a 91 is flat out embarassing.  She has no chance to contend or compete out there right now.  I think she should hang em up.

Answer 2

She's not really "competing." She's out there for "show." Which is what the sponsors want; she's still a spectator draw, it seems. Hence the "sponsor" exemption. Sometimes if you think things through long enough, things start making sense. :-)

Answer 3

this past weekend she was in Rochester for the Wegmans LPGA. she is such a legend and has done so much for the sport that no matter how bad she does, she deserves a spot.

Answer 4

I bet she could still beat Michelle Wie !

Answer 5

There comes a time when the best are no longer competitive. There are instances where a person who was a previous winner of the event being played has an automatic exemption to play. If she shoots well enough to qualify, she continues.Otherwise she is gone. This may be the reason Nancy still competes.

Answer 6

no, does your mom belong in the MLB?