Asian representation on the LPGA vs PGA

[PixlPutterman]

My wife and I were watching a recent LPGA event and she noticed the significantly higher concentration of Asian women on tour versus the PGA.

 

She asked why and quite frankly I had no idea.

 

Anyone more better connected to Asian golf culture maybe know why? 

 

I don't doubt there isn't an abundance of fantastic male Asian golfers but there are far fewer on the PGA.

[Golf Dino]

13 hours ago, PixlPutterman said:

My wife and I were watching a recent LPGA event and she noticed the significantly higher concentration of Asian women on tour versus the PGA.

 

She asked why and quite frankly I had no idea.

 

Anyone more better connected to Asian golf culture maybe know why? 

 

I don't doubt there isn't an abundance of fantastic male Asian golfers but there are far fewer on the PGA.

 

A truly multi-faceted response to explain it ... as for the Koreans, one cannot begin to overemphasize the impact that Se Ri Pak has had on golf in South Korea.  Generally speaking, women in South Korea saw one of their own compete successfully against the best in the world and it had a tremendous influence on other girls taking up the game.  Golf has always been popular in East Asia ... for them, Golf is a game of aspiration ... a recreational pursuit enjoyed by those who have arrived in life (socially and economically) ... for others it became an easy recreational outlet as driving ranges popped up everywhere in land-starved Japan and South Korea ...these are not the dingy "Ball O'Rama's" like that on Tin Cup, but nice places to go ... with automated ball feeders, some come with swing analyzers, nice lounge areas etc. and it offers a way for players to learn the game until then eventually play on courses.   Green fees are typically expensive though when compared to courses in North America (public or semi-private courses).  

 

So, just my two cents about Korea and Japan ... each country has its own stories as to how the game grew ... and Tiger Woods has been an influence in many parts of Asia too ... even in Thailand...I mentioned elsewhere that Patty Tavatanakit in a recent interview at the ANA said she was drawn into golf because of Tiger ... and it makes sense especially in Thailand as Tiger's mother is Thai ... so naturally they can identify with Tiger as one of their own. 

 

I'm sure others will add their own thoughts too . . .

 

Here's Patty talking about how she got into golf:

 

https://bit.ly/3uHSxsN

 

 

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Golf Dino

[PixlPutterman]

Thank you for the response.

 

My initial thought was stronger (financially) male tours outside the PGA ( PGA china, Euro, ect) were drawing male Asian golfers, and that there weren't as many tour options on the ladies side, forcing more top female Asian golfers to the LPGA.

 

I also thought it was partly a cultural thing but didn't know where to start my learning 😁

Edited May 8, 2021 by PixlPutterman

[Argonne69]

Another big factor for the Korean men is the mandatory military service. When one is playing at the highest levels, having to take a two year break can take a heavy toll on momentum.

 

[JungleJimbo]

9 hours ago, PixlPutterman said:

My wife and I were watching a recent LPGA event and she noticed the significantly higher concentration of Asian women on tour versus the PGA.

 

She asked why and quite frankly I had no idea.

 

Anyone more better connected to Asian golf culture maybe know why? 

 

I don't doubt there isn't an abundance of fantastic male Asian golfers but there are far fewer on the PGA.

“+1” wrt @Argonne69 and @Golf Dino ‘s observations

 

similar (and other) observations wrt “why Koreans dominate LPGA but not PGA” = summarised in this article. 
 

..https://www.pgatour.com/tour-insider/2017/10/18/korean-mens-golf-emerge-pga-tour.html

 

..https://golf.com/travel/jessica-korda-korean-lpga-dominance/

 

..https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/golf-the-secret-behind-the-endless-dominance-of-south-koreas-women

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by JungleJimbo

[HMHS]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Another big factor for the Korean men is the mandatory military service. When one is playing at the highest levels, having to take a two year break can take a heavy toll on momentum.

 

In Asia/for Asians, being  a male "athlete"/"golfer" is not as proudly encouraged as say, becoming a doctor, businessman, etc... women, are "freer" to do whatever they want - especially for those better off financially... that's a microcosm simplistic answer...  

[OBbogey5]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Another big factor for the Korean men is the mandatory military service. When one is playing at the highest levels, having to take a two year break can take a heavy toll on momentum.

 

This is really the big stinger for Korean men. I played high school golf with a Korean exchange student (before Se-ri btw - who is only 43 years young! Can’t believe that...!) and he already had the makings of a pro game. BUT, when high school was over, he had to go back home and serve. He never argued it, as I think the belief in duty is ingrained, and the thought of pro golf after serving is “it will be if it will be”, but it’s a damn shame. Lots of great players will never regain their form. 

[phizzy30]

My opinion only, but the talent pool on the PGA tour is a lot deeper than the LPGA tour.  I'm Korean myself and have asian friends that have either played or still currently play on the LPGA and mini tours.  Here's the thing.  There is a mandatory 2 years minimum in Korea anyways and in some asian countries for military service.  Look at Noh Seung Yul for example.  Kid has won on tour and has so much potential.  He was ordered to go back to Korea and do his time.  Same for Sang Moon Bae.  It really sucks for them because it took 2 years of their golf prime away.  The asian ladies don't have to worry about this.  They can spend a good portion of the time practicing and doing whatever they need to get to the highest levels of pro golf.  Also, the distance game isn't nearly as important on the ladies tour whereas in the men's tour it is.  Have you noticed that most asian golfers can't make the ball speed that their contemporaries can?  There are exceptions like Min Woo Lee, Kurt Kitiyama and Hideki, but those guys are unicorns.  Something to think about.......

Edited May 8, 2021 by phizzy30

[HMHS]

12 minutes ago, OBbogey5 said:

This is really the big stinger for Korean men. I played high school golf with a Korean exchange student (before Se-ri btw - who is only 43 years young! Can’t believe that...!) and he already had the makings of a pro game. BUT, when high school was over, he had to go back home and serve. He never argued it, as I think the belief in duty is ingrained, and the thought of pro golf after serving is “it will be if it will be”, but it’s a damn shame. Lots of great players will never regain their form. 

Exhibit 1: Sang Moon Bae

 

An aside, there's actually some Asians "playing ok" in the PGA --- Colin, Hideki, Ben An, Sung Jae, KJ, Kevin Na, etc... but back to what i said earlier, even Morikawa has a fall back Haas school of Business degree from UC berkeley, just in case things didn't pan out... 

Edited May 8, 2021 by HMHS

[OBbogey5]

Let’s nuance this conversation, I’d say.. 🙂 I think we’ve established that Asian female player means essentially Korean female player. And that Korean female players have more golf opportunities than Korean men. And in general, women in the golf-crazed Asian countries have more opportunity than men when it comes to playing pro golf. There is a great point in the thread by @Supermilo on the expectations of men and their careers. 
 

Can we have some in-the-know maybe explain the two year commitment to service? I know, the web links are great, but that’s like emailing or texting instead of actually talking hahaha. As an American born after Vietnam, this idea doesn’t connect too well with my Gen X brain. 
 

I’ll take a shot at it, but please excuse my ignorance. 
 

Korea sits between two global (super) powers, and Korea is small. So on one hand they need a strong military, and on the other hand, they don’t have a lot in terms of population pool. So men are required to serve. I’d love to hear from those who have more insight and some personal experience in this arena! 
 

 

[llewol007]

I think that its more lucrative for the Asian golfers to compete on the LPGA Stage. The purses are probably bigger and the exposure is better. 

[OBbogey5]

1 minute ago, llewol007 said:

I think that its more lucrative for the Asian golfers to compete on the LPGA Stage. The purses are probably bigger and the exposure is better. 

I ask ya then, are the Asian women in it just for the money..?! 
 

There are certainly American men in it just for the money. Phil doesn’t tee it up for less than $2500. Gosh, for me, as much as I’d like to think I’d be a trophy chaser, sometimes settling on “doing it for the money” keeps the wheels from spinning out of control and over-analyzing the art of the craft. 

[Argonne69]

Approximately 2.5 million Korean civilians died in the Korean War. With a madman sitting with his finger on a big red button less than 300 miles to the north, and a military over 1 million strong, I can see why South Korea takes its military service obligation seriously. 

 

[llewol007]

2 minutes ago, OBbogey5 said:

I ask ya then, are the Asian women in it just for the money..?! 
 

There are certainly American men in it just for the money. Phil doesn’t tee it up for less than $2500. Gosh, for me, as much as I’d like to think I’d be a trophy chaser, sometimes settling on “doing it for the money” keeps the wheels from spinning out of control and over-analyzing the art of the craft. 

Why do most people pick a certain career. Yes golf is a career and at the most simplest of reason, money is the reason to compete. If you are good enough to play on the LPGA and PGA at any level, wouldnt you want a chance to play for 300K purses versus 50K purses. It doesnt mean you are in it just for the money but they are playing for a pay check. 

[Soloman1]

As someone who was drafted during the Vietnam War, I can wrap my head around it. 😉

 

Geopolitics isn't aren't always top of mind in most countries. Mandatory military service is common around the world, not just South Korea. 26 countries have mandatory service, including France, Sweden, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, et al.

 

North Korea has mandatory military service and is still legally in a state of war with South Korea. Only a cease fire is in effect. If your enemy has X, you will have X to show parity.

[Soloman1]

And as someone who has given several presentations to KLPGA teaching pros in South Korea, and lived in Japan for 25+ years, I know a little about both places.

 

The influence of Pak Se-ri has already been mentioned. The escaping poverty stuff is no more of a reason than escaping poverty is in the US. Golf for women simply became an aspiration that Korean women could work towards. Instructors and their students are equally dedicated to working smart and hard in the fundamentals of building a solid, well-rounded game. All Asian women golfers who aspire at playing professionally work hard at it. Asia, as a whole, has a far higher ratio of population who study hard and put more effort into all things with great attention to detail.

 

If you go to a range in Southern California, you can find many Asian kids who are living there or are temporarily there to advance their game. They are easy to find because they are the last ones to leave.

 

There is even a school in Florida where young Korean golfers in high school practice, learn, live and study.

 

There are some Korean players on the JLPGA Tour, which is more lucrative than the KLPGA Tour. It's just a bigger country with more than double the population and economy.

 

For Japanese men, the Japanese tour is, for lack of a better term, easy? It's an easy life where the travel is less extensive, the endorsements are Japanese, the food is Japanese, the language is Japanese, the golf culture is Japanese... You get the idea. Matsuyama is an outlier. He has pushed himself beyond his comfort zone because he is so truly in love with golf. He's like a kid about it and not jaded at all.

 

[Golf Dino]

18 minutes ago, OBbogey5 said:

Let’s nuance this conversation, I’d say.. 🙂 I think we’ve established that Asian female player means essentially Korean female player. And that Korean female players have more golf opportunities than Korean men. And in general, women in the golf-crazed Asian countries have more opportunity than men when it comes to playing pro golf. There is a great point in the thread by @Supermilo on the expectations of men and their careers. 
 

Can we have some in-the-know maybe explain the two year commitment to service? I know, the web links are great, but that’s like emailing or texting instead of actually talking hahaha. As an American born after Vietnam, this idea doesn’t connect too well with my Gen X brain. 
 

I’ll take a shot at it, but please excuse my ignorance. 
 

Korea sits between two global (super) powers, and Korea is small. So on one hand they need a strong military, and on the other hand, they don’t have a lot in terms of population pool. So men are required to serve. I’d love to hear from those who have more insight and some personal experience in this arena! 
 

 

 

I think perhaps that is a bit simplistic.  Golf in Japan has been hugely popular and successful for decades.  There were LPGA players in the 1970s; there were men competing in the majors during the 1970s.  And let us not forget "Mr. Lu" the Taiwanese Chinese player that was runner up to Lee Trevino at the 1971 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.  

 

 

 

At present, many are observing that the Thai women are going to be the players to watch for the next decade as more and more junior players come through the ranks in Thai golf.  Virada Nirapathpongporn was playing on the LPGA in the early 2000s.  Also Thai-American Jenny Chuasiriporn is the other player who lost to Se Ri Pak in the playoff in her famous US Women's Open Championship that ignited women's golf in Korea.  

 

Thailand has great weather - hot perhaps, but they play year round there.  Great courses and a growing contingent of golf teachers and trainers.  And the men actually came to prominence first (relatively speaking) with Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradesh Aphibarnrat.  Of the people that I know who are following golf development in Thailand, many are saying that their development is reminiscent of Korean development post Se Ri.  

 

[HMHS]

41 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

As someone who was drafted during the Vietnam War, I can wrap my head around it. 😉

 

Geopolitics isn't aren't always top of mind in most countries. Mandatory military service is common around the world, not just South Korea. 26 countries have mandatory service, including France, Sweden, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, et al.

 

North Korea has mandatory military service and is still legally in a state of war with South Korea. Only a cease fire is in effect. If your enemy has X, you will have X to show parity.

I can speak of Singapore -- Singapore is but a small city-state -- who cares about it right = a red dot on the global map?  Well, there's a 2 yr mandatory National Service (in camp at that) -- very very few exceptions (google Joseph Schooling  and National Service- Olympic Gold Medalist for example - Singapore's finest Olympian, in my opinion - and how he still ISN'T exempted from this)...

 

Back to SG, it's small, who cares?  Well, in WW2 they got annihilated -- never again, Singaporeans vow that if there's anyone going to encroach on them, they will at least "feel the sting" that is SG's army!   So not as simple as it sounds for others who claim it is... over and beyond what I've mentioned already amongst Asian males vs females in career expectations etc...  (now why there's no SG good male or female golfers despite Sentosa being an LPGA event?  go figure haha)

[HMHS]

19 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

And as someone who has given several presentations to KLPGA teaching pros in South Korea, and lived in Japan for 25+ years, I know a little about both places.

 

The influence of Pak Se-ri has already been mentioned. The escaping poverty stuff is no more of a reason than escaping poverty is in the US. Golf for women simply became an aspiration that Korean women could work towards. Instructors and their students are equally dedicated to working smart and hard in the fundamentals of building a solid, well-rounded game. All Asian women golfers who aspire at playing professionally work hard at it. Asia, as a whole, has a far higher ratio of population who study hard and put more effort into all things with great attention to detail.

 

If you go to a range in Southern California, you can find many Asian kids who are living there or are temporarily there to advance their game. They are easy to find because they are the last ones to leave.

 

There is even a school in Florida where young Korean golfers in high school practice, learn, live and study.

 

There are some Korean players on the JLPGA Tour, which is more lucrative than the KLPGA Tour. It's just a bigger country with more than double the population and economy.

 

For Japanese men, the Japanese tour is, for lack of a better term, easy? It's an easy life where the travel is less extensive, the endorsements are Japanese, the food is Japanese, the language is Japanese, the golf culture is Japanese... You get the idea. Matsuyama is an outlier. He has pushed himself beyond his comfort zone because he is so truly in love with golf. He's like a kid about it and not jaded at all.

 

 

Very true -- Matsuyama is truly an outlier, a pioneer in his field --with a physique  that is not common amongst Japanese  ☺︎   (Ishikawa is more common, Kodaira, etc)

 

My own observations from Japanese friends (in the business community) as well as my sojourns there --> comfort zone the right/key word --- how should i say this?

 

 "Japanese men that i I know are risk averse -- not risk takers ---> i have quite a few MBA japanese friends that i keep in touch with who have returned to japan -- perfectly capable of succeeding in the US after graduation -- why did they go back?  Coz it's the "easy path" -- nothing wrong with that... there's one "outlier" amongst of them -- sadly, he's considered a "rebel" by the other japanese friends who went back to Japan -- how do I know?  Everytime i mention him to my other Japanese friends in Japan, they scoff at him...  

 

Off the bat, if you ask me to elaborate spontaneously: a) Career expectations for Asian men (already talked about), b) Physique/ability (not as many Asian men as "robust" as Caucasians like Brooks, Bryson), c) National Service (eg SG, TW, Korea, etc),  d) Different course conditions / $ / Tour --> Bentgrass, Kentucky etc -- What? I only know of Bermuda in my southeast asian golf courses LOL...  I'm sure this topic can be analyzed left right and center to death... It's getting there though --- PGA in the recent years -- Hideki, Im, Lahiri, Morikawa, Pan, Na, (I count the latter 3 as Asians)  Day (half Asian),  etc    LPGA -- Koreans, Thais, Taiwanese, Filipinos (!), Malaysian, hopefully Singaporean in the future...  #intlteampresidentscup  

 

 

[HMHS]

29 minutes ago, Golf Dino said:

 

I think perhaps that is a bit simplistic.  Golf in Japan has been hugely popular and successful for decades.  There were LPGA players in the 1970s; there were men competing in the majors during the 1970s.  And let us not forget "Mr. Lu" the Taiwanese Chinese player that was runner up to Lee Trevino at the 1971 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.  

 

 

 

At present, many are observing that the Thai women are going to be the players to watch for the next decade as more and more junior players come through the ranks in Thai golf.  Virada Nirapathpongporn was playing on the LPGA in the early 2000s.  Also Thai-American Jenny Chuasiriporn is the other player who lost to Se Ri Pak in the playoff in her famous US Women's Open Championship that ignited women's golf in Korea.  

 

Thailand has great weather - hot perhaps, but they play year round there.  Great courses and a growing contingent of golf teachers and trainers.  And the men actually came to prominence first (relatively speaking) with Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradesh Aphibarnrat.  Of the people that I know who are following golf development in Thailand, many are saying that their development is reminiscent of Korean development post Se Ri.  

 

Who can forget Thongchai!!!? 

 

in the LPGA, for Thais, I would dare say if you ask the "current crop" LPGA thai players who made it possible for them, there's gonna be someone who'll attribute this lady as their pioneer:  Porny ☺︎  

[OBbogey5]

I appreciate it @Soloman1. I appreciate your life experiences and insight, and additions to the conversation. One thing I’ll say about GenX is that we by and large came to learn about and respect our fathers (and mothers) younger days, and we’ve got our grandfathers who were WWII vets, and all the stories and fallout from that when they raised their kids. I know that doesn’t mean all of us, but quite a many few I’d say. 
 

From my observations here in Southern California, the Asian kids at the range are hit or miss. Some are good, some aren’t. It’s not like their all swinging like pros.. I don’t know.. maybe some reading this don’t live in a place with large Asian populations and might have some misconceptions on that. The parents are always involved. They either hawkeye and attempt to teach after every single swing, or they camp out in a captains chair, or they hit balls themselves alongside their kids. After work hours, at a range with lights, it’s a straight up playground, with entire families at the range and little ones running all over the place. 
 

The American kids are still playing baseball and soccer. Basketball. Football way less. Golf is for those who can’t do the other things.

 

Great points @Golf Dino. I’m with you! I think Thailand in 2030 is going to be the new S. Korea. Except better and more explorative. So instead of every player winning one or two majors, there might by two players who win 10! I’m not telling anyone who disagrees with me that they have a third eye, so no need to look at me funny @Argonne69 🙂 

 

@Supermilo Singapore is a player for sure. No need to second guess that. It’s a world financial center, and has a kick a** Air Force with the F-16, F-15, and F-35. It’s borders are plenty secure for the time being 🙂 

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-military-best-air-force-navy-southeast-asia-2018-4
 

[Soloman1]

38 minutes ago, OBbogey5 said:

I appreciate it @Soloman1. I appreciate your life experiences and insight, and additions to the conversation. One thing I’ll say about GenX...

 

I'm just happy you didn't say, "OK boomer" and leave it at that. I'm not affected much by the generation labels, as long as you're not a Millennial... 😉

[OBbogey5]

4 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

 

I'm just happy you didn't say, "OK boomer" and leave it at that. I'm not affected much by the generation labels, as long as you're not a Millennial... 😉

 

Oh god no. I’m a product of late 1977. Yes, I believe Elvis dying while I was in my mother’s womb has impacted my existence ha!

 

Dad jumped into college and the Air National Guard, before the draft could get him. Paternal grandfather was USAF in Japan and part of the occupation in late 1945-46. Maternal grandfather was a Marine in Europe. I’ve often thought that if their duties were flip-flopped in any way, I might not be here. They couldn’t raise kids for a damn, but I know I’m fortunate that these three men allowed me the opportunity and freedom to at least figure it out myself. 
 

As for Millennials.. it’s been a tough reputation so far, but there’s still time 🙂 Every generation was castrated by the previous gens. Then the blowback when said generation realizes they can make money too!

[PixlPutterman]

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

Best way to learn is to just ask honest questions 😁

[phizzy30]

7 hours ago, OBbogey5 said:

Let’s nuance this conversation, I’d say.. 🙂 I think we’ve established that Asian female player means essentially Korean female player. And that Korean female players have more golf opportunities than Korean men. And in general, women in the golf-crazed Asian countries have more opportunity than men when it comes to playing pro golf. There is a great point in the thread by @Supermilo on the expectations of men and their careers. 
 

Can we have some in-the-know maybe explain the two year commitment to service? I know, the web links are great, but that’s like emailing or texting instead of actually talking hahaha. As an American born after Vietnam, this idea doesn’t connect too well with my Gen X brain. 
 

I’ll take a shot at it, but please excuse my ignorance. 
 

Korea sits between two global (super) powers, and Korea is small. So on one hand they need a strong military, and on the other hand, they don’t have a lot in terms of population pool. So men are required to serve. I’d love to hear from those who have more insight and some personal experience in this arena! 
 

 

My cousin who is 10 years older than me served in the South Korean military.  My grandfather was a 4 star general there as well.  My cousin ended up doing his 2 years and got out.  At the time he was playing hockey as a goalie and eventually got to play an exhibition game against Team Canada which featured Eric Lindross among other prominent NHL players.  Not to sure if he was part of the hockey team in the Olympics but I'm pretty certain he was.  He told me if he didn't have to serve in the military for those 2 years, he might have played in the NHL.  He hurt his knee pretty bad in the army which eventually ended his hockey career and dreams.  The last thing a South Korean male athlete wants to do is serve in their military.  Anything can happen like bad injuries and what not.   

Edited May 9, 2021 by phizzy30

[phizzy30]

21 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

And as someone who has given several presentations to KLPGA teaching pros in South Korea, and lived in Japan for 25+ years, I know a little about both places.

 

The influence of Pak Se-ri has already been mentioned. The escaping poverty stuff is no more of a reason than escaping poverty is in the US. Golf for women simply became an aspiration that Korean women could work towards. Instructors and their students are equally dedicated to working smart and hard in the fundamentals of building a solid, well-rounded game. All Asian women golfers who aspire at playing professionally work hard at it. Asia, as a whole, has a far higher ratio of population who study hard and put more effort into all things with great attention to detail.

 

If you go to a range in Southern California, you can find many Asian kids who are living there or are temporarily there to advance their game. They are easy to find because they are the last ones to leave.

 

There is even a school in Florida where young Korean golfers in high school practice, learn, live and study.

 

There are some Korean players on the JLPGA Tour, which is more lucrative than the KLPGA Tour. It's just a bigger country with more than double the population and economy.

 

For Japanese men, the Japanese tour is, for lack of a better term, easy? It's an easy life where the travel is less extensive, the endorsements are Japanese, the food is Japanese, the language is Japanese, the golf culture is Japanese... You get the idea. Matsuyama is an outlier. He has pushed himself beyond his comfort zone because he is so truly in love with golf. He's like a kid about it and not jaded at all.

 

True, but South Korea has the backing of the US.  North Korea might have the backing of Russia and China but that's very iffy atm.  I think South Korea would have a better chance than North Korea if a war were to erupt in the future. 

[phizzy30]

22 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

As someone who was drafted during the Vietnam War, I can wrap my head around it. 😉

 

Geopolitics isn't aren't always top of mind in most countries. Mandatory military service is common around the world, not just South Korea. 26 countries have mandatory service, including France, Sweden, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, et al.

 

North Korea has mandatory military service and is still legally in a state of war with South Korea. Only a cease fire is in effect. If your enemy has X, you will have X to show parity.

True, but South Korea has the backing of the US and most of Europe.  North Korea might have the backing of Russia and China but that's very iffy atm.  I think South Korea would have a better chance than North Korea if a war were to erupt in the future. 

Edited May 9, 2021 by phizzy30

[ctmason_98]

20 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

 

I'm just happy you didn't say, "OK boomer" and leave it at that. I'm not affected much by the generation labels, as long as you're not a Millennial... 😉

 

I got that first time last week, from a kid who appeared to be serious. 
 

I was born in 1978…are they intentionally this stupid?!?!

[idontnoh]

Very interesting discussion here but I want to point out the Morikawa and Na are Americans through and through. They both grew up in the states, spent their formative years on American courses, and play under the US flag in every competition. Na is an interesting case because his Korean is so good and he goes back frequently, but he’s American to everyone. There’s a story of him having to pay for a round in Korea because he was a PGA winner but not a KPGA winner. 

[Lobby]

I just don't like these "Asian" threads re the LPGA.

We are one people in one planet.  

 

I realize one can ask why some from one country are doing so well without it being racist, but with so many attacks on Asians in the USA, I can't help but conflate the two issues.