Is Asia the new home of women's golf ?
by courtgolf
on Aug 2, 2008 3:08 PM EDT
MOST people agree that the birthplace of golf is Scotland and the UK. A few "scholars" claimed that golf started in China. (and, of course, there are the Tiger-centrists who think that golf was invented in 1994 when Tiger won his first US Amateur) So it is no big surprise that the two British Opens are in the Major catagory.
However, looking at the leaderboard at this week's Women's British Open, you almost have to wonder if this major should be moved somewhere in Asia.
After 54 holes, there are 16 Asian's in the top 20 (25 players) alone. Two of the top three, Yuri Fudoh and Ai Miyazato, are from Japan. I don't know that there have ever been two players from Japan at the top like this in a major before. Momoko Ueda makes three Japanese players in the top 10.
Yani Tseng represnts Taiwan.
The other 12 ? You guessed it - they are from Korea.
The US ? Only 4 (Kerr, Inkster, Gulbis, Creamer). Two from Australia (Webb and Hull). One each from Sweden (Petterssen, Germany (Anja Monke), and Mexico. (some chick named Ochoa)
Over the last couple of years, the R&A has been seeking to expand their tournament territory into Asia. Since they have almost no recognizable tour players in the world rankings past Laura Davies, maybe they should start looking for a course in Asia to host The Women's "British" Open.
FanPosts are written by Waggle Room members. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of WaggleRoom.com and its editor, Ryan Ballengee. The Waggle Room member whose byline appears with the FanPost is solely responsible for its content.
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not the British!
You make a good point, however. For whatever reason, Asian players are dominating the tour at this point in history. Maybe it’s the culture or their work ethic that’s given them an edge. Anyway, the LPGA Championship won’t be played at Bulle Rock again. I haven’t seen where it will be played next year. Does anyone think there’s a chance it will be moved to an Asian venue?
by dianemarie on Aug 2, 2008 9:33 PM EDT 0 recs
not a chance
MAYBE Canada or Mexcio, but even those are a stretch. They won’t be taking an LPGA Championship off the continent – at least until Scotty gets those transporters working.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Aug 2, 2008 10:52 PM EDT
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Are people being racist?
Lets count the last two British Opens
16 of the top 27 golfers last year were non Asian
16 of the top 25 in 2006 were non Asian
Swedes have as many wins as Asian players this year. Anyone complaining about that? I mean why don’t they move the LPGA to Stockholm?
Really, people who are hung up on the color of the winners every week, are showing their own colors.
by Bill Jempty on Aug 3, 2008 8:17 AM EDT 0 recs
missed the point
the point of the post was amazement – not disdain. this group of players has flooded the TOP of the leaderboard in practically no time at all. personally, I don’t care where they are coming from – they are playing really good golf – and it’s amazing that so many of these women are from the same, relatively small country.
look at your own numbers – last year 11 of 27 were asian – more than 1/3
2006 ? more than 1/4
if you want to get nationalistic and wonder where the heck the American girls are – they are getting beaten down by this talented wave of mostly Korean golfers. then you have to wonder what it will take for american girls to get back to the top of the game. the athletes are still here – we just don’t have as many athletes who are as single minded in their persuit of great golf as the koreans.
to this point – asians have 6 wins – swedes have 5 to this point, and it looks like it will be 7 later today.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Aug 3, 2008 10:24 AM EDT
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