LPGA commissioner Mike Whan rips Golf Digest for Paulina Gretzky cover

LPGA commissioner Mike Whan had some harsh words for Golf Digest on Friday in the wake of the magazine choosing to put Paulina Gretzky on the cover of its May issue.

In his statement, Whan said Golf Digest is doing a disservice to women’s golf by not putting an actual LPGA golfer on the cover:

"“Obviously we’re disappointed and frustrated by the editorial direction (and timing) Golf Digest has chosen with the announcement of its most recent magazine cover. If a magazine called Golf Digest is interested in showcasing females in the game, yet consistently steers away from the true superstars who’ve made history over the last few years, something is clearly wrong. “Inbee Park wins 3-straight major championships in 2013. Stacy Lewis, in 2012, becomes the first American to win Rolex Player of the Year since 1994. Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko set historical benchmarks while blossoming as the Tour’s youngest ever champions. And evidently, not one has been ‘cover worthy’ for Golf Digest. ‘Growing the game’ means a need for more role models and in these exciting times for women’s golf, the LPGA is overflowing with them. “At this point, I’m done talking about it and I hope the attention of the media and fans will shift in the proper direction. The true stars representing women’s golf have a grand stage this weekend at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. I’m confident that the year’s first major championship will result in another compelling champion and the traditional Sunday leap into Poppie’s Pond will grab the media spotlight it so deserves.”"

Multiple LPGA golfers have expressed the same point of view as Whan, and it’s easy to understand why. According to The New York Times, Golf Digest last featured an LPGA golfer on its cover in 2008. Since then, both Kate Upton and TV personality Holly Sonders have been featured on Golf Digest covers, yet none of the LPGA’s rising stars have been given the honor.

[Source: Golf Channel]