LPGA tour mandates English-language rule

The world’s’ premier women’s golf tour will impose an English proficiency requirement by next year. According to an article from Golfweek magazine and as reported on several news outlets, the new rule would obligate LPGA golfers with two years experience to learn English or else face suspension.

LPGA brass allegedly told players that the measure is needed since they want players to interact with corporate sponsors; coincidentally (or not), the LPGA has been suffering from decreased sponsorships which have included the cancellation of a few tournaments.

There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including Lorena Ochoa (Mexico), Julieta Granada (Paraguay), Nicole Perrot (Chile) and Marisa Baena (Colombia).

ESPN.com’s Bob Harig believes that the new rule “goes overboard” yet a few golfers appear to be fine with the move:

Angela Park - born in Brazil of South Korean heritage and raised in the United States - said the policy is fair and good for the tour and its international players.

"A lot of Korean players think they are being targeted, but it's just because there are so many of them," Park said.

Seon-Hwa Lee, the only Asian with multiple victories this year, said she works with an English tutor in the winter. Her ability to answer questions without the help of a translator has improved in her short time on tour.

"The economy is bad, and we are losing sponsors," Lee said. "Everybody understands."

Image- esmas.com (Lorena Ochoa after winning the 2008 Morelia Championship)

Sources- Canadian Press, Golfweek, ESPN.com, LPGA.com, CBC, UPI, Sposrtsnet.ca