This is bound to cause some discussion; that a golfer who has yet to earn her first dollar on the LPGA tour is ranked #3 in the world. But that is what has happened as the world of Women’s Golf has released their first World Golf Rankings.

In the results released this week for the World Golf Rankings for women, Michelle Wie was at third place and only four-tenths of a point behind rookie of the year Paula Creamer. This is truly amazing for a young golfer who has just turned professional and claimed no prize money yet. Discussions are already starting and they will be interesting as the year progresses. The questions will probably come from how golfers are ranked and should amateur golfers be included or have their own category.

Michelle Wie has been in the news so much lately and, as you would expect, controversy follows her as it tends to follow any young professional sports star. There was a lot of discussion around whether she should be receiving exemptions for tournaments early in this golfing season since she has earned few of them to date. So far she has competed in just 15 tournaments last year and has struggled at times recently. What makes sense for the good of the game?

The World Golf Ranking for women’s golf is based on a two-year average with the most recent 13 weeks carrying more weight. Points come from strength of schedule for tournaments played. Any pro or amateur golfer that competes in at least 15 events during that timeframe is eligible.

I believe that it’s fine to have this type of ranking open to amateur golfers. If they have competed in professional golf tournaments and done well against the pros, they should be ranked. I think that it’s good for the game overall and good for amateur golf.

Wie appears to benefit from strong showings at last year’s LPGA Golf Championship, Evian Masters, and the women’s British Open. It’s interesting that she hasn’t yet made her LPGA tour debut since declaring her status as a professional golfer. As far as her ranking and the exemptions issue, I think that you will quickly see her either stay high on the chart this year or disappear completely. I don’t believe it will be a “middle of the pack” things. So let’s let the results tell the tale. She does appear to be the “real deal”, but the full time pressure of professional golf will quickly show if she has “the right stuff”.