by Gene Smith
I found the article strange---The only Koreans who may have helped raise the bar are those like Se Ri and Grace Park, both talented and personable people---but there are legions of American lady golfers who have contributed to "raising the bar", and there will continue to be---what is strange about the invasion of Koreans is that it happened so suddenly, just as it might if someone in Korea had decided to sponsor a program to highly train talented lady golfers, and then turn them loose on the most lucrative lady golfing set up in the world--our LPGA. This has not happened on the men's tour, so it is reasonable to assume that Korean folk have no more golfing talent than other racial groups.
To me, there is no question that colorful players, both men and women, help elevate the sport insofar as fan interest is concerned--so I agree that personality, beauty, and creative golf technique all help fans to turn out. But talent and practice influence success as a golfer, and one has to admit that many of the Korean women playing today have a high degree of success.

by L Daniels
Unfortunately, I don't share your view with regard to Korean players on the tour. I don't believe they have helped. I believe they have hurt it. When I tune in to watch a televised LPGA event, the last thing I want is to see the leader board filled with the names of people I don't know. I frankly turn it off and don't think I'm much different than most people. When they are interviewed, seldom can they speak english. I feel as tho they are taking the place of other young, good American players. I don't mind an international "tour" as Bivens likes to tout, but I lose interest when there are so many Korean's dominating. I think Jan Stephenson was right in her observations several years ago.

by Bill Rustic
Sure, they have raised the bar some, but someone (Comissioner??)should take these ladies aside and somehow infuse them with a personality! They are bland and for the most part emotionless. At the Ginn when other players were interacting with the crowd, the Koreans were just standing there. Sure, language is a barrier, but c'mon, a smile, a nod or some acknowledgement would help. And maybe a quick course in english, maybe just enough to "thanks".

by OC Dave
As a long time golfer and fan of golf on television, I must say that I prefer to watch the LPGA over the Champions Tour. Its not that I think the women are better golfers, perhaps they are, but I watch because they have game...much more so than 5 years ago. I believe their level of play have improved tremendously and I will definitely credit the Koreans for lighting a fire on the LPGA. Their work ethic on and off the course are second only to VJ. The other women on the tour see this dedication and probably works much harder to try and improve their overall game. Anyway, I'd much rather watch the Koreans with their subtitles, translating, or whatever than a Laura Davies (she's a nice gal) lumbering down the fairway.

by Wesley M. Jaynes
Sorry buddy. Gotta disagree with you. I can't see that they've helped the tour as a group. I agree that an isolated group HAS helped. One person who has done more to bring up the level of play is Annika. But, ironically, some of the S. Koreans who manage to develop a personality on the course are of S. Korean descent, but don't live there;a couple born in Argentina, moved to US. Funny, huh? BTW, I'm a 59 year old male and I can probably name 25 LPGA golfers, including some S. Koreans. But bottom line, when I tune in to watch, I don't want the sound track to come out with sub-titles! Which would probably be an improvement over the translating we now have.

by Le Gripper
burns is right; god bless them for their effort and prowess but to say it hasn't killed the sport...um, bottom line is I don't know anyone who can name more than 3 pro women golfers and none of the asian sensasians...sorry if that sounds ethnocentric, it's just fact...but still better than some of the sex appeal of hte past..hahahahha

by Golf viewer
If you can't name at least three women pro golfers then you haven't been watching them play.
Your grammar skills and punctuation is killing the English language more than the Koreans are killing the LPGA tour.

by LS
To Le Gripper - Not only do your comments make you sound ethnocentric they also make you sound like a male chauvinist pig.

by Les Burns
No doubt the Korean golfers earned their way onto the LPGA.How would you deny anyone's hard work and accomplishments,that would be wrong and un American,let alone being xenophobic.I can't say I find watching the LPGA as interesting or enjoyable though and whoever says that the Koreans have developed personalites must be comparing them to a much earlier and more awkward stage.

by AS
Golfweek ran a great feature in the 7/21 issue that was a great piece on the Korean program and how they are able to produce such great players to the tour.