DIFFERENT STROKES:WHO KNOWS? In years to come, we could be pointing the finger at Pádraig Harrington in much the same way as the South Koreans – to a woman, for they are now the dominant force in women's professional golf – will say the breakthrough moment was delivered by Se Ri Pak's victory in the US Women's Open of 1998.
Harrington’s knock-on effect was more immediate in a way, spurring contemporaries of his – Messrs McDowell, McIlroy and Clarke in turn – to win Major titles. Pak’s win was different, in that it spawned a generation of South Koreans to follow in her footsteps. Na Yeon Choi (right) became the latest to get her hands on a Major, with her win on Sunday in the same championship in which Pak became a golfing pioneer.
This year’s US Women’s Open was remarkable for the fact 28 South Koreans played in the event, so it was hardly a surprise one of them won out.
The certainty is that she won’t be the last to win a Major, for the conveyor belt is a truly extraordinary one, with parents pushing their children into golf camps if they show the slightest inclination towards playing the game.
It is reputed children from the ages of four or five can spend up to eight or 10 hours a day working on the golf swing. Parents, especially for their daughters, see golf as a route to fame and glory and money and the sport has become a national pastime for that reason as much as for the fun element.
Even Na Yeon Choi acknowledged how Pak’s breakthrough as an inspiration. She was 10 years of age when Pak won. “I really appreciate what Se Ri did and all the Korean players . . . It’s really no way I can be here without them,” she said in her moment of glory. She became the 10th South Korean player to win a combined 12 Majors in the last 51 championships.
Internet service: PGA Tour welcome new sponsors
THE PULLING power of golf sponsorship is alive and well in the US, it would seem. When Nationwide – who have bankrolled the PGA Tour's secondary circuit – took up an option to assume sponsorship of The Memorial on its hometown stop and, so, jettisoned its title sponsorship of the development tour – there was a rush to take up the vacancy, with web.comcoming on board with an impressive immediacy.
The US Tour has signed a 10-year deal that sees the internet services and online marketing firm assume the title sponsorship, with the Web.comTour now the primary breeding ground for young talent. For good measure, the importance of the secondary tour will double next year when the number of players earning cards doubles from 25 to 50.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: "The Web.comTour truly is an extension of the PGA Tour and has proven to be the most effective . . . indicator of future success on Tour. We consider this an ideal association with a recognised industry leader in helping small- to medium-sized businesses become successful as a result of using its services. We are delighted, in addition to the sponsorship, Web.comwill be offering its expertise to help our tournaments, players and charities enhance their own web presence."
Driving ambition: Siem’s on target
MARCEL SIEM certainly gave the lie to the old theory that you drive for show and putt for dough. The German’s win in the French Open – a hugely popular one on the circuit – was based on an impressive performance over four rounds with the driver in his hand. The Genworth stats show that Siem ranked second in driving accuracy with 73.2 per cent and was fifth in driving distance with average drives of 302.1 yards.
