LPGA in 10 Years?

Interesting topic for discussion.  I don't follow the LPGA Tour enough to know if the current trends are a result of a push in Asia for more women to play golf professionally or if there's been a significant reduction in interest here in the states. 

 

I've noticed that many U.S. LPGA players are also part-time models or some other vocation that uses their physical assets to supplement their income.  Is this due to their lack of golf skill, lack of prize money, combination of both or other reasons? 

Something I've noticed (though I could be wrong) is that about five or six years ago, the LPGA had a lot of young talent and a good deal of buzz about the Tour, but they were hurting financially. Today, from what I understand, they're in a slightly better financial position, but I can't remember the last time I saw the LPGA on SportsCenter, let alone a local sports station (like you would see when Sorenstam and Ochoa were winning). I think the lack of young, promising Americans has hurt the LPGA here somewhat from a buzz standpoint, and that has probably hurt sponsorship.

That's not something I see changing much over the next 10 years. It's much harder to make a living on the LPGA Tour then it is on the PGA Tour, especially long-term. Without some sort of college education, they'd be really short-siding themselves.

 

1	Tseng, Yani	$958,126
2	Miyazato, Ai	$629,783
3	Yoo, Sun Young	$508,855
4	Shin, Jiyai	$326,713
5	Choi, Na Yeon	$310,972
6	Stanford, Angela	$304,452
7	Feng, Shanshan	$277,128
8	Ryu, So Yeon	$259,450
9	Kim, I.K.	$259,218
10	Lewis, Stacy	$249,246

 

LPGA tour money list so far this year.  I couldn't pick any of these girls out of a lineup.

 

 

 

I could identify 5 players if I was watching it on TV and they didn't put their names up.  In Asia it might be a different story.

 

Def seems like in 10 years there will be an LPGA major in Asia.  I think there are a lot of great talent but no one is that exciting to watch, except maybe for Yani.  This isn't the fault of the players, they're just trying to shoot good scores, but the LPGA needs someone like a Michele Wie.  A player that stands as an athlete, hits it far and can dominate.

 

 

You are not trying if you don't know Yani Tseng. She's 23 and has won 5 majors and 15 tournaments.

 

 

 

 If she looked like Michelle Wie I'd know who she was.  Full disclosure though, the only women's sports that I even bother watching are tennis and gymnastics.

Do they have something like the president's cup for the females?  Japan invited many LPGA members years ago to tournaments and exhibitions.  I think Helen Alfredson even learned Japanese

Solheim Cup.

The LPGA will certainly be even more global in 10 years....wait til China gets on board.

 

Young US girls aren't under the scrutiny and disciplined upbringing as their Asian counterparts to excel in golf and other things in life.

 

Look at the current world women amateur ranking....only 2 US gals....the opposite for the men.

 

Let take an example....Brittany Lincicome is likely the most talented US player....and i don't believe she has ever said she wants to be #1...she's rather tweet about taking a nap in the afternoon......how many regular 20 something gals can nap in the afternoon.

But Brit's goal are likely to make enough money per year to lead a life she chooses.....her life...her choice.

 

 

... which I attended when it was held here in sunny SD.  The event was not very well attended despite all the stars that were competing, which tells you a lot. 

 

The trend that we have seen for a while, increasing domination by non-U.S. players, will likely continue.  Golf does not appear to attract young athletes here in the U.S. to the extent that it does in many other countries.  I don't know why that is exactly.  This is a shame, as of course the interest of U.S. companies in supporting women's golf is to some extent a function of the success of American players. 

 

LPGA golf is played at a high level and is compelling to watch, as anyone attending the Solheim would have seen for themselves.  I wish it well in the future but I have my doubts about the relative success of U.S. players - let's hope they prove me wrong.