LPGA makes rules that all players must speak English by 2009 or risk suspension

August 29, 2008 by Dennis Amith

Chosun reported, “The LPGA Tour will require all players to speak English starting 2009. According to wire reports, the LPGA secretariat has decided to suspend members as well as new players for two years if they fail an oral English test.”

“There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from Korea. Many people may believe the latest measure is targeting the Korean players, considering that many of them have had difficulty speaking English.”

LPGA deputy commissioner Libba Galloway, however, said LPGA is a “global tour and is not targeting any specific player or country.”

Korean players seemed unconcerned, saying this was not totally unexpected. Ji Eun-hee, who won the Wegmans LPGA in June, said, “At the time, I spoke Korean in the interview. I experienced pricks of conscience as I felt if the latest decision targets me. I’ll pay more attention to improving my English.”