The Heart Of The (88) Matter

In the wake of the unseemly Michelle Wie WD at the Ginn Open, the entire idea of quitting to avoid the wrath of the LPGA's Rule of 88 was put into perspective by MacKinzie Kline, who posted a second round 89, making her (as a non-LPGA member) ineligible for the rest of the year.

And it didn't even cross her mind. Or anyone else's. Tod Leonard writes:

Mac Kline, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was the first player to use a golf cart and oxygen during an LPGA Tour event. With favorable temperatures in the low 80s yesterday, she said she didn't start using oxygen until the fifth hole.

“It was better than I thought it would be,” she said.

A significant part of Kline's appearance in the Ginn was to raise awareness for the Children's Heart Foundation. Kline makes national appearances for CHF and has made it her goal to raise $1 million for research that may one day save her own life. She has already raised more than $750,000.

“My gosh, I talked to (Ginn representative) Ryan Julison today, and he said we've reached millions of people because of what Mac did this week,” John Kline said. “There's going to be so much more awareness of the Children's Heart Foundation. I think the money is going to pour in from all over the world.

“There were a few LPGA players who came by to talk to Mac today. And they said, 'You're awesome. Go out and play. Have fun.' ”

Mac Kline insisted she took that advice.

“It was really, really fun,” she said. “It was all very exciting.”

Quite the contrast. For more on Kline, check out her website.