LPGA to mandate Koreans and others speak English

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

PORTLAND, Oregon (AFP) — The LPGA Tour is going to force its burgeoning South Korean contingent of players to learn to speak English or risk losing their playing privileges.

Starting next year, the Tour announced that players who have been on the tour for two years must pass a oral English test or face suspension.

"This should be a priority in their professional development just the way working on their short game is a priority," LPGA Tour deputy commissioner Libby Galloway said. "We just wanted to be clear about our expectations.

"What we would do is work with them on where they fell short, provide them the resources they need, the tutoring. And when we feel like they need to be evaluated again, we would evaluate."

While the move is not specifically...