LPGA attracts more fans, more media coverage
The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour may not be as popular as its counterpart, PGA (Professional Golf Association), but it has certainly eclipsed the latter's popularity in terms of competition.
The LPGA has produced a number of brilliant players in recent years, with the sport gaining popularity in countries other than the traditional strongholds - the United States and Europe.
The LPGA cannot compete with PGA when it comes to fan following, media coverage and money involved, yet there are certain factors that put women's golf in the limelight.
One of the most important factors is the presence of non-US players.
Since the United States had been the hotbed for women's golf, just like the men's circuit, players from these regions always had the upper hand over their rivals from other countries.
According to analysts, massive representation of American and European players had put a drag on the progress of women's golf.
However, the efforts from the patrons of the LPGA Tour, there have been big developments.
The LPGA, which was once regarded as the underrated entity due to it not getting much attention from the media and fans, has embarked on a new mission with clear goals.
Sponsorship is a serious problem for the Tour now. Although flushed with money and success these days, the LPGA Tour had been through rough times just a few months back.
Due to its growing influence across the globe, there are new faces in the top spots these days.
The number one spot is currently held by the Taiwanese star, Yani Tseng, who has maintained her ascendency over her rivals for months now.
Tseng is a good example to dig into how the LPGA has evolved over the years. Asian countries had been ignored for years, which gave the US and European players plenty of chances to rise to the top.
Most of the top-50 ranks are held by Korean players - a factor that highlights the expanding footprints of the LPGA in lesser-known countries.
Experts say this is what is luring more fans. The tournaments of the LPGA these days tend to attract more spectators than they used to a few years back.
Speaking to the media about the growing popularity of the Tour and women's golf, Sandra Gal, a Tour winner, said that attracting more people to women's golf is something the LPGA officials can be proud of.
Gal said that the Tour has adopted a new tactic that stresses interaction with fans.
Although women's sports across the world have not been good enough to lure much fan following in recent years, the LPGA Tour seems to have dispelled this impression quite successfully.
"It's one of the main strengths of our tour," Sandra Gal said. "We have an edge over all the other tours because we're so good at personal relationships and interaction with fans. Maybe it comes natural because we're women. I'm not sure, but we always get
positive feedback from that".
The Tour is now going to stage yet another big event, Kia Classic, this month. The event is expected to gain massive media coverage and fan following.
The tournament Director, Dennis Baggett, said the Kia Classic will do what the Tour has been looking to, that is, boost the sport's image.
"I think 'Engaging' is the best word to describe it," Baggett said. "That is not to demean the PGA Tour. Those guys are incredible athletes, but the LPGA is so engaging. Everyone signs autographs. You can have more of a one-on-one experience with them.
"There's a lot less of putting your head down and walking by. These ladies are fun to be around. It's an interactive experience rather than just a spectator sport".
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