Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Good points Iain, but are you just being politically correct not to alude to slow play by many Asian women golfers, especially the Koreans who tend to dominate on the LPGA Tour but leave their personalities at home? Many of them are unwatchable.
No criticism implied of Miyazato who is terrific, Se Ri Pak also.
(PS: Rosie Jones's appointment was duly noted on 606 . . . . )

Hi, Ian

I'd very much like to see an official Major in the Far East but note the comment about the tradition of four.

First - didn't the Ladies Tour have 5 for a few years?

Second - which of the existing group will lose its 'Major' status to make way for the Asian Major? One of the three in the USA?

(Suggested A: yes indeed: shortly after Hell freezes over. It's the British Open that's likely to be the one under threat.)

An interesting article about the strength of the Asian players particularly in the Womens game. These up and coming Asian players are a force to be reckoned with and have already shown their talent and dedication to the game. It is inevitable that a major championship will be held in Asia if that is where the money and power is located. I will watch it.

What is dissappointing is the lack of coverage the womens game gets from the media, press and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. I have often logged onto the bbc/golf pages to view reports and updates on the womens competions to find nothing. I have had to follow the link to the LPGA website. Step up to the plate Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

I also went to watch the Womens Open at Lytham last year and it was alot more enjoyable than going to The British Open (mens). The crowds were better, the atmoshpere more relaxed and players more approachable off the course. There are many lessons to be learnt here for the mens game which has allowed some player to be too big for their boots/shoes.

Some interesting comments, Iain, most of which I agree with. But I don't agree with Kwini (that's unusual for a start) that most of the Asian players leave their personalities at home. I thought it was refreshing to see so many of the youngsters playing with a smile on their faces, and even dissolving into giggles on occasions when they played a bad shot. Don't think you'd see that on the men's tour! My other half also enjoyed some of the short shorts which would definitely be frowned upon in most stuffy clubs in England!
But I do agree about slow play which is exacerbated by the interminable caddies lining up every shot - even Juli Inkster who, you would think, would be able to manage by herself now she's reached 50!
Delighted to see Laura Davies winning again (don't think she'd ever ask a caddy to line her up) and I'd like to ask everyone to join in the campaign (started by Sky I think - sorry) for her to inducted into the Hall of Fame. The LPGA say a Hall of Famer must have won a major but surely there is no other woman in the game who has done more to raise the profile of women's golf and to encourage young girls, especially in the UK, to take it up. Perhaps it would be different if she was American ...?

Hi LP,
Not sure that the slow play and perception of personalities is not a bit "chicken and egg" with me. But at least the LPGA is trying to do something about it, penalising players (yes, Iain, usually Korean ladies, it's a matter of record) strokes rather than the Finchem slap on the wrist.
As for Laura Davies (caddie wouldn't have time to line her up!), I have her getting into the HOF with big Ernie in an "article" I wrote a few months ago! But imagine they might wait until she retires, rather than imply she won't win again. Got Bob Charles and Himself right though!

Carter, you're on a bit of a roll :-)

Kwini has good points though - well let's face it as usual. Slow play is a general affliction in the women's game but so many of the Asian players use their caddies to check their lines.

I know the LPGA has made efforts to help on communication too with English lessons but a lack of character and personality is also an issue in the Ladies game and have to disagree with Ladyputt. The men aren't great but there are some characters out there. On course its fine, they might giggle at a bad shot but the lack of English and outgoing personalities is something that affects TV, Marketing of the game. Some of the female players have been criticised for taking a more sexy route but it generates interest. Jiyai Shin, great player, tries in interviews but sadly only just beats paint drying.

The women's british open tends to be well attended and i've always attended as much as i can when its at Sunningdale (not my club but if it's not there then its very up North somewhere). But it is TV audiences that may well determine if a major gets 'bumped' to Asia. We have the historical nod so far but money vs history with 'merricans in charge...

Of course the UK has been....disadvantaged.. with ladies golf coverage with a recent decline after the golf channel uk went down - and then Setanta who a lot of us hoped would pick up the rights. Still seems token coverage on Sky. And then Golfpunk gave out to footballpunk so how many tour tournaments are in England this year....might need to have access to ladies golf to have something to complain about really.

Still, get my fix via veetle.com

that's on 'Golf nearly 24x7' via Veetle.....for any interested technorati