Soo-Yun Kang wins the Safeway Classic: but what about the guys?

(*Warning* This reply is rife with generalities.) I think it has to do with physical stature. Todays mens game is a power game and the larger men typically have the advantage (the Fab 5 are all over 6 feet tall). Asians tend to be the smallest peoples on the planet. But with women being smaller as a whole, the power advantage from stature is less of an issue (the notable exception being 6 foot Michelle Wie). Strength training & skill tend to play a larger role for the women. That's my story - but I could be wrong.

In reply to Shanks: Interesting thought...

But then you have to wonder how Jeong Jang can win the British Open when she's barely 4'11". No, she's not a 6 footer, but she gives up a good 6-8 inches to most other players on the LPGA tour... And over a foot to players like Wie and Jill McGill. And yet, she can still win it. Wouldn't the same apply to the men, with a person at, oh, 5'8" or so being able to compete without the power game?

Just a thought...

I think the reason the Korean women are doing so well is there dedication to the game. They are mentally more focused, they probably spend more time practicing than their western counterparts. It's all part of their upbringing.
I am surprised there aren't more Japanese women in the US, maybe the Japanese aren't as desperate to leave their homeland.
Alan

Culture is a major issue. Korean sons have enormous responsibilities, such as keeping up the family business, getting university degrees, etc. Daughters are not as heavily saddled with these burdens, especially if they have brothers. This is even more true in wealthier families, i.e., the families who can afford to play golf. As a result, girls whose families are rich enough to provide access to golf have more time to devote to becoming good players, and, if lucky, to bringing their families honor in their own way via golf.

3 Korean men on the PGA Tour. That is a respectable number from a country the size of South Korea. Add to that a more competive tour with the PGA and a longer period of training required for males to reach the PGA level. Korean males may be working just as hard as the females, and the numbers may well increase in the future.

Note to Chigger: Unlees you're playing the Old Course which definitely favors the long knockers, links courses tend to negate length for the most part because of how they play - firm & fast. Big hitters often have to gear down to keep the ball in play. But regarding your comment on the relative height differences, I thought of that. It just seems to me that with only few exceptions, the ladies tend to be more tightly bunched in terms of distance. From there only training & skill will decide who's better.

Could someone do an article on the impact of Koreans on the LPGA tour? Are they increasing fan/sponsor interest, lowering it? Do other non-Korean players care? Is it a non issue? I'm just curioius, because the sheer number of foreign athletes from one country dominating an American professional sports league is unique and there has to be a story there.

Imagine if an NBA team won the championship with a roster full of Germans or Lithuanians. (San Antonio doesn't quite fit because it has players from multiple countries) That would be a story. And its happening on the LPGA.

Before the South Korean players, lpga was dominated by rather larger women so the general popularity wasn't big among non golf fans. I think the likes of Paula creamer, Wie and Kerr's alike will make LPGA more popular than ever for the younger viewers. Golf is a universal sport. Any competition from any one country has to a positive inspiration to any US players. It will only raise the game to another level. If they can't take the heat then, they should quit.

Being a korean-american woman that plays golf...its in the genes, baby. There are several factors including being the smarter gender, having lower center of gravity, good balance, and nerves of steel (well tested from years of history).

But seriously, who cares where good players come from and if one nationality dominates for a period of time. We "Americans" don't freak out when most NBA players are american? or top curling champions are canadian? do u think koreans rise up and worry about the state of martial arts cause too many non-asians are participating, competing and winning in Tae Kwon Do tournaments? I don't hear any wailing from the highlands of scotland about LGPA players historically being americans? Why do we care if a majority of the top LPGA players are korean. Get with the times. Its about elevating the game. Good for Koreans to promote women in golf. I'd love it if more women in the U.S. were invited to business meetings on the golf course and fathers took daughters to the golf course while leaving sons home to mow the lawn or wash dishes.