Greg Norman today invited Annika Sorenstam to compete in his annual “Shark Shootout” golf tournament this November at Tiburon Golf Club. This once again caused the media to raise the question of women competing on the men’s tour.

Norman was very outspoken against women competing on the men’s tour in 2004, but says that the “silly season” events are a different venue. But he sees nothing inconsistent about his position. Regardless of Norman’s position (whatever it actually is), the question raised is still a valid one. Should and will ever women compete with the men in professional golf?

I believe that the problem will take care of itself. I don’t think that right now there is a female professional golfer who can compete consistently on the PGA tour. There will be one (I can’t say when) that comes along not too far down the road. And when one does comes along, I think that she will earn the right to play on the merits of her golf game and, I believe that the men will accept her. Maybe grudgingly, but they will accept her.

Part of the problem is the media that covers golf keeps raising the question trying to create controversy in the golfing world. The question raised here is valid, but the media needs to give it a rest and not look for every little opportunity to jump on the issue. I mean, so what, Greg Norman invited Annika to his “silly season” golf tournament. He’s a good marketer and Annika is a top name draw. Let it go.