Wie Made Six of Seven Cuts on LPGA Tour and is the Youngest Champion in U.S. Amateur Tournament

2003 has been the year which made Koreans’ golfing prowess well-known all over the world.

“Golf prodigy” Wie Sung-mi, or Michelle Wie from the U.S., 14 years old, has taken the seventh rank among the “2003 Golf 100 News Makers,” chosen by the popular U.S. golf magazine, Golf World.

Wie, who has appeared on the cover story of Golf World’s second edition early this year, has made six of seven cuts on the LPGA Tour so far. She also was the youngest player to earn a victory at the U.S. Woman’s Amateur Public Links, one of the biggest amateur tournaments in the world, and has played in the men’s competition twice this year, stirring up many issues wherever she goes.

This magazine added that the second biggest star of this year is Wie, just after Annika Sorenstam of Sweden.

On the other hand, Wie’s father, Wie Byung-wook, 43, a professor at University of Hawaii who stirred up the “Etiquette Controversy” at the U.S. Women’s Open this year, is ranked 46th together with Danielle Ammaccapane of the U.S., attracting the people’s attention.

As for Pak Se-ri, who was ranked 26th, Golf World rated her highly as “defending second place in most of the categories such as awards, number of victories and etc., and aiming at the first place currently occupied by Sorenstam.” The magazine added that “she has exerted great efforts in competition against men such as the SBS Golf Tournament, succeeding in finishing in the top 10 position.”

It is also noteworthy that “Korean golf spreading out its influence annually” has been chosen as a hot news and was ranked 31st. Many Korean women golfers have put their names on the champion’s name plates in LPGA Tours this year. “Tank” Choi Kyung-ju has advanced in the Europe tours, especially the German Master’s. The magazine also dealt with the fact that strong Korean power blew onto the U.S. women’s amateur tournaments in the recent two years.

On the other hand, “Korean golfer’s father” incident was ranked 48th, exposing the defective spots of the Korean golf world.

Annika Sorenstam was selected as the top “News Maker” this year, Tom Watson and his special caddy Bruce Edwards, who is suffering from Lou Gehrig`s disease, followed up in second place. Sexual discrimination at Augusta National GC, “Golf Emperor” Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh of Fiji, the new “King of Awards,” and Phil Mickelson who is undergoing a bout of depression, were ranked third to sixth respectively.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com