The Korean Revolution
Golf Monthly|March 2017

A combination of professional triumphs and high-profile events is helping to turn South Korea into a golfing superpower.

Tom Mackin
The Korean Revolution

At the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, the expectation for the Korean women’s golf team was simple: win. Not just the gold medal. Or the silver. But all three medals. Such is the standard now for a country that currently has half of the 50 top-ranked women’s professional golfers in the world.

The medal sweep did not happen – Inbee Park did win the gold by five strokes, but Lydia Ko (from New Zealand, although she was born in South Korea) won silver and Shanshan Feng (China) took the bronze – but it’s a small blemish on the outstanding record Korean women have compiled in both the professional and amateur ranks. The resume includes wins in six of the last nine US Opens (most recently In Gee Chun in 2015) and the 2016 US Women’s Amateur (Eun Jeong Seong); five British Women’s Open titles (starting with Se Ri Pak in 2001); and the past two LPGA Rookies of the Year (In Gee Chun and Sei Young Kim).

Making that success more impressive is that it comes in a sport that generally ranks fourth in popularity behind men’s soccer, baseball and basketball in South Korea.

“Golf is seen by people as the elite sport,” says Peter Rutherford, a Scotland native who lives in Seoul and works for Thompson Reuters as chief sub-editor for sports in Asia. “A lot of guys don’t want to admit being golfers. When there’s trouble with North Korea and you’re a government minister caught out on the golf course rather than being at your desk, your job is on the line. It has changed a lot, though, since Se Ri Pak and the other Koreans started winning.”

A pivotal moment

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2017-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2017-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GOLF MONTHLYAlle anzeigen
Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
Golf Monthly

Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?

The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2024
Surprise packages
Golf Monthly

Surprise packages

Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Golf Monthly

TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly

How to organise the perfect golf day

Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 2024
A LEGEND
Golf Monthly

A LEGEND

Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children

time-read
9 Minuten  |
September 2024
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Golf Monthly

"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"

Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Golf Monthly

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2024
STOKE PARK
Golf Monthly

STOKE PARK

I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September 2024
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Golf Monthly

PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS

Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2024
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Golf Monthly

TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club

Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024