South Korea continues domination of LPGA
JIM DEEKS WATERLOO, ONT.— For the second year in a row, the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic may be won by a player from South Korea. The leader of the tournament after three rounds, at 15 under par, is Shenshen Feng, from China. But of the 17 players within seven shots of the lead, eight are either South Korean, or daughters of Korean parents.
In fact, there were 19 South Korean women who teed off in the 2014 tournament, making the Asian country by far the second-most represented nation on the roster, after the United States. This is not a particularly new phenomenon. It is the outcome of a steady stream of talented and focused young women who graduated from limited golf opportunities in their native country, but who had the encouragement, ambition and drive to follow their dream.
It is also the outcome of the trailblazing example set by two of their countrywomen. Se Ri Pak, who still plays occasionally on the LPGA circuit, is universally considered the first inspiration for Korean women golfers. One of the first Korean players ever to qualify for the tour, she won two major tournaments in her rookie season of 1998 — an unheard of feat, especially for a non-Amer- ican. Her victories caused an immediate rush of starry-eyed young girls at driving ranges throughout her home nation of roughly 50 million. Pak was soon joined by Grace Park, who won a major of her own in 2004. Park was tall and pretty and graceful, and a definite crowd pleaser, all of which helped diminish some resentment from fans and players of these non-English speaking “invaders.” The trickle soon turned into a Korean tide in women’s professional golf — not only on the LPGA, but on other women’s tours around the world. But what is it about South Korea that has made it such a breeding ground for excellent professional golfers, women in particular? “Our hand-eye co-ordination is good from using chopsticks,” said Hee Young Park yesterday, and it was impossible to tell if last year’s Manulife champion was being serious or not. “Also, our lower bodies are strong, not as tall. This helps to keep us low through the swing.” Two of her colleagues tend to cite focus as the common denominator. Chella Choi, 23, has yet to win on the LPGA despite several top-10 finishes, including a tie for second place at the Manulife last year. “I think mental strength is the main reason,” Choi says. “Not that others aren’t focused, but maybe in Korea we have less distractions growing up.” Inbee Park, 25, who until last week was ranked No. 1 for over a year, says that, in her case, moving to America at age 12 certainly helped. “There are so many more places to play and people to teach golf here,” she said on Saturday. “But Korean girls definitely have focus.” Park will need her focus tomorrow: she sits two strokes behind Feng, tied with Michelle Wie. What is overlooked in all their competitive success on the tour is the huge challenge that these young women face in emigrating to the U.S. to play professional golf. A new language must be learned, a new culture must be understood if not fully adopted, and discrimination — some deliberate, some unintended — must also be endured if not accepted. Not to mention homesickness. “It’s not easy,” says Hee Young Park, who’s still in the hunt for victory tomorrow, at 10 under. “We work hard.”