Editorial: Korean Players and the LPGA

To even the most casual observer of women's golf, it has become increasingly apparent that Asian players, and Korean players in particular, have become a huge force in the sport. And at all levels, too. While it seems another Korean star is appearing every other week on the LPGA, the Futures Tour money list is currently led by two Koreans, and several of the top junior players are also Korean or Korean American. Considering that as recently as six years ago, Korea was barely a blip on the radar, that amounts to a sea change of epic proportions. And naturally, a change like that also has led to a bit of tension.

That tension finally started to erupt publicly last year on the LPGA tour. First there was a meeting called, for only Korean players, in which they were instructed on what was expected of them with regards to pro-ams. Namely, that they had to be more 'friendly' and 'outgoing'. Next, there was the Cheatgate controversy, in which a few Korean fathers were accused of cheating to help their pro daughters. This led to another Korean only meeting, in which the only requirement for attendance was not that you had actually been accused, but rather that you were Korean. And almost everyone has heard about Jan Stephenson's ill considered words about how the Asian players were 'ruining the tour'.

Se Ri started the Korean avalanche with 4 wins
in 1998. She now has 21 wins

Shi Hyun Ahn's win in Korea made her a big star
there; she's still virtually unknown in the
States

Simply put, the LPGA dropped the ball on these issues. They should have seen the tension starting to simmer (there were already a few incidents even before last year), and should also have realized that the number of Asian players was only increasing, and with it, a need for proactive steps to help them assimilate into the culture. They also blew it by calling Korean player-only meetings, allowing the impression to be made that there was truth to the rumors, and implicating solely because of their race players who had never been accused of any impropriety (by the way, no one was ever formally charged of any wrongdoing, a fact usually left out of the discussion of this incident).

The LPGA has also seemed quite reluctant to use Korean players in their advertisements (Grace Park and to a lesser extent Se Ri Pak excepted), tacitly lending support to the notion that they were, in fact, a detriment to the tour. An article last year implored the LPGA to treat these players, several of whom were among the top players in the league, like 'the stars they are'.

For their part, some of the Korean players, not speaking English well and not being familiar with America and its customs, certainly were ill prepared to provide sparkling repartee for a pro-am group, or to interact with fans in what might be seen as friendly to American eyes.