Learn English or you are off the tour

Trampas

LPGA players to face English exam

All players taking part in LPGA Tour events will be required to speak at least basic English from 2009.

Under new regulations, the LPGA says all golfers who have been on the tour for two years must pass an oral exam or face having their membership suspended.

There are 121 international players currently on the US-based tour, including 45 from South Korea.

Libby Galloway from the LPGA said: "This should be a priority in their professional development."

She added the move was not meant to discourage foreign players from joining the LPGA, but to try to help the golfers and the game succeed.

"We just wanted to be clear about our expectations," she said.

"What we would do is work with them on where they fell short, provide them the resources they need, the tutoring. And when we feel like they need to be evaluated again, we would evaluate."

It seems at least some of the players agree with the policy.

Five-time major winner Se Ri Pak told [url]www.golfweek.com:[/url] "We agree we should speak some English.

"We play so good overall. When you win, you should give your speech in English.

"Mostly what comes out is nerves. It's a totally different language in front of the camera. You're excited and not thinking in English."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/7583558.stm

crazy if you ask me. What next PGA tour?

Carbara doesn't speak English so they are going to say to him you can't play US Open because you can't say a few words in English.

I say if they can say thanks to the sponsors they will be fine

Marshy

Yeah I agree, its a crazy move. They seem to be trying to find any way to keep the more talented international players away from the Tour.

Jaysoose

Cabrera does speak some english but apparently he chooses not to when interviewed.

Mister Sifter

I watched the womens british open and it was pretty poor. The girl who won, a korean, played outstanding golf to win, but when they went to interview her she spoke terrible English. It made for bad tv and looked quite amatuerish. Probably not great for the image of the womens game, particularly to sponsors.

Then again, what was to stop the BBC from getting someone in to interpret for them. About half the field was Asian after all.

Hobart

Graeme1982 wrote: »

Then again, what was to stop the BBC from getting someone in to interpret for them. About half the field was Asian after all.

I totally agree, why can't they get some interpreter in to translate for them?

TBH I would doubt if the "ban" option would happen. What most people seem to forget is that the most populous country in the world is China, and they will dictate world viewing figures over the next couple of decades, and not the UK and the USA.

I agree that the PGA and European Tour are the current money spinners in world golf events at the moment, but they are paid for through advertisers and sponsors, and those sponsors can be located in both English and non-english speaking countries.

Finally, it just goes to show the arrogance of the LPGA, when you consider that it's been a long long time since a native English speaker was top golfer and that English is far from the most popular spoken language on this planet.

slumped

The LPGA have reversed their decision - according to Setanta Golf Coverage.

More info http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2008/09/05/UPI_NewsTrack_Sports/UPI-60631220649300/