Why Wie Is Still Getting PGA Tour Invitations

We all know the answer: Because she puts fannies in the seats. So to speak. Or at least, everyone involved with the Reno-Tahoe Open is banking on Michelle Wie's ability to continue doing just that. As long as she maintains that ability, she'll continue receiving opportunities to play in the major leagues.

That ability was disappearing all during 2007. But coming off three days of great play at the State Farm Classic - followed by several days of controversy (nothing like controversy to generate free publicity) - Reno-Tahoe officials and PGATour.com officials are convinced the girl still has "it."

To wit:

• In the Monday First Tee clinic yesterday in Reno, the three tour professionals participating were ... two old guys, plus Wie (Jay Delsing and Steve Pate, to be exact). The tournament is putting Wie out front.
• On the PGATour.com tournament site on Monday, the main photo and headline were of Wie. Today, the main photo and headline have switched to Nick Flanagan, but three of the four sub-heads are about Wie.
• And according to a report in Sports Business Journal (subscription only), PGATour.com will devote more attention to Wie during tournament play (the first two rounds, at least) than the Web site has devoted to any individual player not named Tiger Woods:

A special page on PGATour.com will contain blog-style coverage from a Web site staffer following Wie around the course. There also are plans to have a photographer document her rounds and post video of exclusive post-round interviews.

Woods is the only other individual player who has received such prominent treatment at PGATour.com, said Matt Hong, vice president and general manager of sports digital for Turner Sports.

So while PGA Tour professionals are overwhelmingly opposed to Wie (or any other woman - but especially Wie) taking part in their events, the folks who are in charge of generating interest in the tournament locally - and therefore, generating attention for the sponsors and money for the charities - and the people who are in charge of generating ratings (Web, television or otherwise) remain absolutely conviced of Wie's ability to sell a tournament.

And it's hard to argue with that belief when looking at the attention generated so far, and anticipating what is still to come.