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Factors behind the success of Korean female golfers

Posted July. 18, 2017 07:24,   

Updated July. 18, 2017 07:43


U.S. Women's Open is on the top of the five major competitions of LPGA. Korean golfer Park Sung-hyun ranked No. 1 at this competition that ended Sunday. Korean golfers have won seven times in the last 10 years since 2008. If Korean American Michelle Wie is included, the number of wins increases to eight. Also, eight Koreans were listed in the top 10 this year. Some could even question whether the U.S. Women's Open is a KLPGA or an LPGA.

The first Korean to win the U.S. Women's Open is Pak Se-ri when she grabbed victory with bare feet in 1998. From 1946 when the U.S. Women's Open started through 1997, 51 competititions were held among which 43 were won by U.S. players and eight by foreigners. However, from 1988 when Pak won through today, foreign players grabbed 12 victories compared to eight by Americans. Among the 12 wins by foreign players, Koreans accounted for nine. While Koreans won twice in the first 10 years since 1998, the following 10 years saw Koreans win seven times.

Though the U.K. is the country where golf originated, the U.S. has proven overwhelmingly strong performance in both men's and women's competitions, particularly showing good capability in the women's sector. But Korean female golfers have been excelling their U.S. Competitors in LPGA tournaments. In this season alone, Korean athletes have won nine competitions among the 19 held so far. Among the three majors this season, Koreans took two trophies. Women's golf is held by the U.S. and is swept by Korea.

In archery, both Korean men and women are the world's top, but Korean female golfers are the world's best. Some say that the Korean habit of using chopsticks has boosted their performance in sports sectors that require accuracy more than power. Fathers' enthusiastic support is also a contributor. While education is mostly led by mothers, golf is led by fathers who take their daughters to the fields and devote their money and time.