More Than a Year After Pleading “Support Us”, Veteran Pro Brings Light into LPGA’s Biggest “Battle”

Women’s golf has suffered from less viewership and interest from the masses at large. Encouragingly, the coverage has increased over the years and people have started appreciating the game, yet it still lags behind the male events.

The 5x LPGA winner and prodigy Michelle Wie West has spoken about the battle women’s golf face in every event. She also suggested what might help with better coverage and easing the struggle.

Michelle Wie West addresses the LPGA’s struggle for viewership

Michelle Wie West has been an advocate for women’s sports and more so for golf. The veteran golfer had had issues with the poor coverage of LPGA events. In 2022, Michelle raised the issue and asked the fans to “support us.”

In a recent episode of the Sports Pro podcast, Michelle called out the fewer cameras filming at any LPGA event. She said, “The number of cameras that are out there on any given week at a PGA Tour event. I think there were over 100 cameras at the tournament filming every single angle, from every single player.” On the other hand, she said that the LPGA events “have probably 10 or so, you know, that creates a lesser entertainment value.”

Moreover, she expressed that having notable commentators from CBS to “call our shots” may up the viewership. Michelle also talked about the data received by announcers, which is not as advanced as the PGA announcers get. She then called it an “uphill battle” and said, “I’m speaking of this is like the stuff that we need to get in order to have better TV coverage.”

As an advocate for women’s sports, Michelle emphasized the fact that it is on National TV and people are quick to abhor women’s sports. That is why there has to be better and more advanced coverage of LPGA’s events. 

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Michelle has vocalized the issue time and again

In 2022, Michelle had pointed out another grave issue. “Money makes money,” Michelle said. “There has to be a significant investment from broadcast and networks to put in the same amount of network investment on the LPGA Tour.” 

As a veteran, her thoughts and suggestions on the game she has played since the age of 12 are vital for the advancement of the game. Do you think that Michelle is right in her stance? What are your suggestions for women’s golf? Tell us in the comments!

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