FanHouse Helen Alfredsson

It's golf's offseason, which doesn't really mean much for fans and players alike except there aren't any majors, and the competition dwindles. It also gives media and players a chance to reflect on the bigger picture. Players evaluate their years and see what could be improved, promising to work on that before next year rolls out. Media has the opportunity to hand out awards, evaluate certain tours and find flaws in those tours.

That is where this concept came up, about the LPGA and their struggle to gain identity. You could argue that women's golf is the second most important female sport, behind tennis, but it still seems that women's golf has struggled this decade to resonate with sports fans, even some golf fans. Annika Sorenstam had moments where she became a story bigger than golf, but most of that dealt with a missed cut and a skirt, the latter being more of a Fred Funk prank than anything.

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. (AP) -- Not so fast.

With Michelle Wie and Christina Kim partying on the green and their teammates leading or squared in another two matches, the United States looked as if it was in for a big day at the Solheim Cup. Europe had other ideas, though, making an impressive rally to win the fourballs 2 1/2-1 1/2 and even the Solheim Cup at six points apiece ahead of Saturday afternoon's foursomes.

The United States needs 14 points to win its third straight Solheim Cup. Europe needs 14 1/2 to win its first on U.S. soil.

In any situation, the person that gets the most attention isn't always the most talented. Ask Michelle Wie, she's becoming all too familiar with this process.

After deciding to play in the Reno-Tahoe Open, a PGA Tour event this week, Wie landed a lot of criticism from lesser-known PGA players that are saying what most of the men on tour are probably thinking.

Now, when news came out that Wie was supposed to try and qualify for the Women's British Open but bailed for another chance to miss a cut with the men, her playing competitors are coming forward in flocks.

"Well, we all have different agendas in life," Annika Sorenstam said. "I had a wonderful experience and, when I look back on my career, I will always think about that. I think it was really a turning point in my career and as a person.

"I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men."

Obviously, the stronger mind prevails. Sorenstam sees that competing against the men was important at one time, but she gave it a shot and came up just a touch short. Wie has yet to realize that if at first you don't succeed, trying seven times and still not succeeding is pretty stupid.