Whaley earns exemption to next year's GHO: Suzy Whaley has a chance to become the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event. Whether she does so is another matter. Whaley, the head pro at a Connecticut golf club, earned an exemption to next year's Greater Hartford Open. She won a PGA Section Championship on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to qualify for a tournament on the PGA Tour.

My, my. It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I wonder what made her decide to try to qualify; the article doesn't say.

If she decides to play, I hope she finishes well, but the physical obstacle may be difficult to overcome. Women's tees are typically further forward, to compensate for lesser upper body strength; she would be playing from the normal men's tee in the Greater Hartford, if she plays. There's also the issue that some of the players will no doubt be displeased that a woman is daring to play in their tournament, but professional golf being set up the way it is, their opportunities to be really unpleasant about it are somewhat limited.

One does wonder which would be a more potent symbol: women being allowed into Augusta National, or women competing with the men in an actual PGA tournament. I suppose it depends on what, precisely, it's supposed to symbolize.