A Historic Upset
Yang Clears Long-Lasting Hurdle for Asian Golfers
When golf made news in Korea in the past, it was mostly about some undesirable aspects of the aristocratic sport. Most common were shady deals made on the lawn between the rich and the powerful or officials, elected or appointed, caught off guard while being engrossed in this addictive sport in inappropriate moments.
Pak Se-ri turned the tide by winning the U.S. Women's Open in 1998, helping to sharply raise the morale of her compatriots reeling under the Asian financial crisis. Yang Yong-eun's come-from-behind win of the PGA Championship Sunday over the world's undisputed top player, Tiger Woods, should be more than just the male equivalent of Pak's triumph 11 years ago.
Not just because it is much more difficult for Asian men to take one of the four major titles, which many thought not possible for another five or even 10 years, but because the feat was accomplished by overcoming a most hostile environment even by the Korean standard.
What makes Yang's achievement all the more special is he has done it almost singlehandedly, from the moment when he jumped into the sport at the relatively late age of 19 as a ball boy at a practice range until he passed the pro test while undergoing a range of odd jobs, from bar waiter to heavy-duty equipment driver. For Yang, as well as his likely female counterpart, Shin Ji-yai, because of their similarly needy families and harsh early lives, golf was no longer a simple leisure, much less an enjoyable game, but a goal to be conquered through do-or-die struggle.
We think therein lies both the strength and weakness of many Korean golfers. Tenacious staying power, indomitable spiritual strength and deep attachment are the calls the domestic fans and media made of Korean athletes, even including golfers. U.S. female golfer Juli Inkster, however, once advised Pak to enjoy her sport more instead of playing it like a machine. Yang also said his strength in dueling with Woods came from mental composure by thinking he had little to lose by missing out to the ``emperor on the field."
None of this is to say the players should lose their objectives but approach them in more relaxed minds, free from excessive burdens to their nation, or even their families, but play only for themselves and their pleasure, like most of their Western counterparts. Experts say too much resolve and tension rather hinder athletes' performances, which players should bear in mind ― not least because the IOC has just recommended that golf be part of the Summer Olympics in 2016.
Yang, a late bloomer, is facing a major turning point in his career, between ending up as a one-time surprise and becoming a lasting star on the global stage, depending on whether he remains both focused and relaxed at the same time.