The LPGA Needs More Angels

This might be politically incorrect. I can be a little grey in those areas these days. I’m sure you’ve noticed the popularity of women’s sports is on the rise. In many ways, that is due to Caitlin Clark. For the last four years the quickest growing demographic in recreational golf is, by a wide margin, women. So, it would seem to follow that if more women are playing golf, they should be interested in watching golf, especially women’s golf.  

That is not the case. 

For the last decade conversations have taken place as to why the LPGA Tour has difficulty in getting traction with golfers, both in terms of attendance at tournaments and watching the events on television. Some blame this on the fact that, unlike the men, the women are hardly ever on network television. Still, even when they are on the network broadcasts, viewers still stay away in droves. 

Another thing that comes up is that the tour and the associated television broadcasts don’t do a good enough job when it comes to spotlighting individual players. We don’t get the chance to get to know them like we’ve come to know players on the PGA Tour. Here’s an example that happened to me. During the leadup to the US Women’s Open a couple of weeks ago, I happened to catch one of the pre-shows on the Golf Channel. The panel at the table was talking to Angel Lin. You probably have not heard of her. I had only tangentially.  

Angel Yin was wonderful on set. Engaging, funny, serious, open, and delightful. I didn’t want the interview to end. She became an immediate favorite of mine. 

Not every woman on tour can be like Angel Yin, just as not every man on tour is as open and giving as Rory McIlroy - on his good days. But I was introduced to her personality, and I liked it. That’s what I think the problem is. It is not the players. It is not the quality of the golf these women play - which is superb. It is not the lack of network exposure. To me, the problem is, that with so many international players on the LPGA Tour and with the rate of success from those players, we don’t care. We don’t care because it's not American women winning all the tournaments. It’s the dirty little secret no one wants to say aloud. Not only do we not know many of the top players on the LPGA Tour, but we also don’t want to. Our attitude seems to be, “get back to me when there’s an American player in contention.” We rallied around Nelly Korda last year as she was winning at a record clip, because she’s American. Folks always pulled for Paula Creamer when she was at her best, again, because she is American. It’s funny to me. We love Rory and Adam Scott, Justin Rose, even Hideki Matsuyama. They’re international players. What’s the difference? Maybe not so much. 

Because although we do love those players, we love Scottie Scheffler more. We love Bryson. We LOVED Tiger. We loved seeing the international players give those American players a run for their money. But rest assured, we want to see Scottie and Bryson win. 

So maybe that’s what the LPGA needs - a dominant American player successfully holding international players at bay. I think we’re a long way from something like that.  

I also think that shouldn’t have to happen.  

Their lack of popularity isn’t because of them. It’s on us. Go watch the women play one of their major championships this weekend, and cheer on the great play. When it’s over, cheer for the winner the way we cheered for Rory in April.