Yang`s Win Creates `Big Bang` With Int`l Media

Y.E. Yang’s historic win at the PGA Championship has made headlines throughout the world as well as in the golfer’s home country of Korea.

The saying “I woke up one morning to see a different world” holds deeper meaning for the Korean after he stunned the world by toppling Tiger Woods in the tournament. Major international media yesterday gave Yang the spotlight in a flurry of news reports.

The Associated Press said Yang’s rise to the top has inspired Asian golf. The New York Times report “Yang Is the Latest; Pak Was the First” called Pak Se-ri, who won the U.S. LPGA Open in 1998, the “Neil Armstrong of golf.”

Reuters said Yang has widened the global community of golfers, adding Paddy Power, an Irish betting agency, lost 2.12 million U.S. dollars due to Woods’ upset loss to Yang. The agency reportedly paid in advance five times the betted sum to those who bet on Woods when he led the tournament by four shots through the second round.

CBS` coverage of Yang’s showdown with Woods in the final round surged to an average overnight household rating/share of 7.5/17, more than double last year’s three percent. The rating was the highest since eight percent in the 2002 tournament, when Rich Beem beat Woods.

Yang reportedly made a verbal commitment to play in the Shinhan Donghae Open Golf Championship in Korea in October. The anticipated matchup between him and Korean rival K.J. Choi is growing. Since Yang’s appearance fee is set to soar in the wake of his win, however, host Shinhan Bank is wondering if it can afford to invite the newest PGA champion.

Seri Pak, who became the first Korean to clinch an LPGA major in 1998, welcomed Yang’s feat more than anyone. “Golfers feel a huge mental burden at major championships, and I’m really proud of Yang since he beat Woods,” she said before leaving Korea yesterday after a visit.

In 2003, Yang played with Pak in the same group at the SBS Professional Golf Championship. Pak shot par the first day but Yang slumped at seven-over. In the second round, however, Yang came from behind to shoot seven-under and advanced to the third round with Pak.

kjs0123@donga.com