Bivens was right

[ajraymond]

The thing is when Ji Yai Shin and Amy Yang came out on the green to congratulate Yoo and they all conversed in English. All I heard was great playing and way to go, all in English. I would give the girl some time because Shin and Tseng could barely speak a word of English 2 or 3 years ago and now they carry on a conversation quite well. Congrats to Sun Young Yoo on her first of many victories. Taking down Shin,Tseng,Kerr,Stanford, Song Hee Kim and Karen Stupples tells me that she is not going anywhere. Great Playing!

[MarinePaul]

Originally Posted by Blue

Not having a translator in place. That was a failure of the Tour. Whan is in charge of the Tour.

Speaking in English best. Speaking through a translator second best. Not speaking at all ... really bad.

I disagree that it was a failure of the tour. You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't have to agree.

Whether she speaks English, Korean, or Swahili, she's under no obligation to grant an interview. Would it be nice if she did? Absolutely. On th eother hand, she doesn't "owe it" to anyone.

Cougar gave a perfectly rational reason why she may not have wanted to be interviewed. And we all know that he does, indeed, have personal experience with most LPGA players.

[xman5]

SYY press conference after the tournament. And your worried about 2 questions from Val for 30 secs while TGC can't wait to get to the next program because they are 5 mins long.

SUN YOUNG YOO

MODERATOR: We're here with Sun Young Yoo, the Sybase Match Play Championship winner. It's your first LPGA victory. You ran through 5 of the top 12 players in the Rolex rankings this week. Can you just tell us how you feel right now and a little bit about how you played?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Actually, when I got here, my goal was playing just two days, but looks like I did a lot better than my goal, so I'm really happy and I'm really happy with my first victory on the LPGA.

MODERATOR: You beat Rolex rankings number 1 Jiyai Shin, number 4 Yani Tseng, number 5 Cristie Kerr, number 10 Angela Stanford, and number 12 Song-Hee Kim. This week you were clearly in the toughest bracket. You had the toughest road to the championship. What was different in your game this week that enabled you to defeat all these great players?
SUN YOUNG YOO: It was tough, but I tried -- I tried a little more aggressive out there because it's match play. I think it work out pretty good.

MODERATOR: Do we have some questions?

Q: Did the golf course play any differently today than it did the rest of the week because of being cooler and wet and what have you?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, there's a couple long holes out there and with the wet fairway it was tough, it played a little bit longer than normal.

Q: Why was your goal only to last two days?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Because I didn't want to expect too much and disappoint myself too much. I think this is a lot better.

Q: How hard is it to stay patient if you have something go wrong, if you lose a hole or two to stay focused and not get frustrated?
SUN YOUNG YOO: I don't know, I think it's hard for everybody, so I'm not complaining for everything. I just -- I just try to play my game, that's all.

Q: Were you ever nervous going up against all these top players?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Actually, I felt really comfortable out there. I don't know why, but I wasn't nervous too much.

Q: When you saw yourself in this spot in the bracket, did you think the road would be this tough?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, I had a match with a lot of great players, so yeah, I knew it was tough.

Q: When Angela conceded on 17 there and you realized you were going to win your first ever LPGA event, what emotions did you feel? What were the feelings on the green there?
SUN YOUNG YOO: I have been waiting many years and my sister's here and I saw she was crying, so I tried not to cry. I don't know, I just thought about my family first, I guess.

Q: Is it an older or younger sister and what's her name?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Her name is Ja Young and she's my older sister.

Q: Do you have any other family members here with you this week?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Just sister.

Q: You had I think one birdie and then the conceded birdie on the last hole. Going in, could you imagine winning this with only like one birdie that you actually made on your own?
SUN YOUNG YOO: The course played really hard today, so I didn't try to make too many birdies, just stay focused and just calm down myself a little bit.

Q: Can you tell us about how old you were when you started to play and who got you started and so on?
SUN YOUNG YOO: I was 11 and I started golf, and I really like sports. I like playing tennis and riding bicycles. So one day my dad took me to the range and then I tried a couple balls and I really liked it, so I started.

Q: Was your father your mentor growing up in the game?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Not really, he's not a great player, but he helps me a lot.

Q: Is there anybody -- any or Korean player who you admire, who you followed, who you watched on television growing up? Was Se Ri Pak an influence to you, or any others?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, Se Ri was like hero in Korea when I just started playing golf, so I always wanted to be like her.

Q: When you got past those two days, how did you feel and how did that affect you that you met and surpassed your goal?
SUN YOUNG YOO: I was like one more day, one more day, and I think I played well and here I am.

Q: Do you think it affected your confidence, the way you played?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, I haven't played match play very much before, but after I won two days, I felt really comfortable.

Q: You said you were thinking about your family, that was your first thought after you won. Can you tell us a little bit about your family, who's in it and what kind of people they are?
SUN YOUNG YOO: My family, they always support me and I believe they are happier than me right now.

Q: (Inaudible.)
SUN YOUNG YOO: Actually, our house just moved in Korea, so they don't have TV connection, so I don't think they know I won.

Q: How many people in your family?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Mom, dad and my sister.

Q: Do you just travel with your sister usually? How often do you see your parents?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Usually just by myself. My sister came over to help me a little bit and she's going to travel with me for a couple months.

Q: Is that nice? Does it get lonely, or is it nice to have your sister out there with you?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Of course, I don't get bored at hotel and we get along really, really well, so it's really good.

Q: What do you like doing if you're not playing golf?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Actually, I just like to sleep and watching TV, listen to music.

Q: Can you talk about the course this week, how good of shape it was in and the Sybase hospitality?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, it was in great shape and the course was – the ball rolls really nice on the green and the fairway was really nice. I really liked it.

Q: Since they don't have a TV yet, have you been keeping them up to date with how you were doing?
SUN YOUNG YOO: I call them every night. I have to call them really soon.

Q: I guess in South Korea beating Jiyai is a pretty big deal. Could you talk about that victory?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, I think about (inaudible). You never know what's going to happen in match play. Like I said earlier, there's lots of great players, so you never know who's going to win.

Q: When did your sister come to join you traveling?
SUN YOUNG YOO: A month ago.
MODERATOR: Her sister and her parents.
SUN YOUNG YOO: My dad is businessman and my mom is housewife and my sister used to teach English in Korea, but not anymore. She's just traveling with me right now.

Q: Does it help to have someone who's an English teacher with you all the time?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, whenever I have a question, I just ask her. It's really easy. She's right there with me.

Q: Did you do anything different this weekend with her than you would normally do, anything more fun?
SUN YOUNG YOO: No, not really, just same.

MODERATOR: Sleep?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yes, sleep

MODERATOR: Any more questions

Q: How old is your sister?
SUN YOUNG YOO: She's 27.

Q: And her name?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Ja Young.

Q: Do you remember the playoff last year?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, I lost to Jiyai in playoff, but she's a great player and she worked hard and she deserve it.

MODERATOR: Angela Stanford was in the playoff as well.
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, she was, yeah.

Q: Did you remember anything about that when you were out there today or think about that?
SUN YOUNG YOO: No.

Q: What's the strongest part of your game?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Maybe iron shots.

Q: You seem like you're a pretty good putter.
SUN YOUNG YOO: Yeah, I've been putting good since last week, but I feel more comfortable with iron shots.

MODERATOR: Any other questions? Congratulations.
SUN YOUNG YOO: Thank you.

[xman5]

Q: What do you like doing if you're not playing golf?
SUN YOUNG YOO: Actually, I just like to sleep and watching TV, listen to music.


The female me.

[DJGOLFER59]

I always assumed Sun Young spoke pretty good English, I had never heard her speak, but seeing her interact with other players, ie: non-Korean players, I assumed she was ok at it. And seeing her interview transcript it looks like she knew English as well.

I was gonna mention it yesterday, but did anyone read how absolutely boring Any Yang's interview was? Now, didn't Yang grow up in Australia from a young age? There should be no excuse to not know better English, let alone give one word answers like she did.

[dangerbob]

After reading SYY's interview, I hope everybody is happy now! Maybe the reason why she didn't give a live interview on TV after the win, was because she wanted more time...not just a 30 second, 'cause she wanted to say more!

[Putter]

Originally Posted by dangerbob

After reading SYY's interview, I hope everybody is happy now! Maybe the reason why she didn't give a live interview on TV after the win, was because she wanted more time...not just a 30 second, 'cause she wanted to say more!

Oh come on Danger - you're smarter than that! I think. She needed more time to say how excited she was to win? To express some emotion? They ALWAYS give a quick spot to the winners of tournaments - nobody needs "more time" Sheesh. We all know they do an in depth interview afterwards, none of them expect to have 30 minutes right at the end of their win to say everything they want to say! Personally, I thought it was rude to not say anything. And just in case you're wondering, I don't "hate" the Koreans, and I give credit to the ones who at least try to say something. Would it be that hard for them to at least get out "Very Happy"?? I'm sorry, but I have to agree with everyone who's said this does nothing to promote these players - hell, just smile and nod if you can't think of anything to say!

[heddwyn]

It's not a matter of being their prerogative, it's a matter of courtesy. It's courtesy to say 'Thank you'. Did she thank the sponsors, volunteers etc when they handed over the trophy and check, did she say anything at all?

Apparently she does speak some English and, as others have said, a 'Thank you, I'm very excited' would have been enough. Then the interviewer could have made excuses about her being too excited to talk further. I'm sure when Pressel won in Asia recently she didn't make excuses, I'm sure she either had a translator or spoke in English. People get the message, even if they don't fully understand. I assume not losing face comes into it as well, and I think the Asian players need to know it doesn't matter, no one will dislike you for limited English, but they will for not saying anything.

I can't believe they didn't have a translator there either, unless one of the other Korean players was helping out last week - or Yoo's sister! Tournament Director failing not Whan's, though I suspect he'll be asking questions.

Btw, what happens if there is a Rules question during play, especially Matchplay, and no translator around?

[Saint-Just X]

I still don't understand the fuss about players not speaking English.

Does anyone really care,or is it just used as a stick to beat the Asians with ?

Nobody says anything of interest in the 'post-match' interview,anyway ;it's not like we ever hear any pearls of wisdom from those golfers,male or female,whose mother tongue is English.

Once the finishing putt has been drained,and the golfer hugs the caddie and shakes hands with the opponent,don't most viewers go and put the kettle on or take a leak ?

Just let the golf do the talking...

Pax Vobiscum
Saint-Just X

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Buzzer

There could be more to it than meets the eye.
Sophie Gustafson has won and never was interviewed because, as was explained on the air, she doesn't speak english.
Sophie speaks perfect english, but has a severe speech impediment....more than just a stutter. I never knew that until I was going to have lunch with Soph a few years ago. LoJo tipped me off so I knew what to expect.
Thanx again, LoJo....sheesh.............

The most common of ALL phobias is fear of speaking in front of people/crowds. It's always good to arm yourself with facts BEFORE throwing stones.

Viva Annika

Sophie's stuttering has been known for years. I'm surprised an insider like you didn't know about it, Buzzer.

I doubt Sun Young Yoo has a stuttering problem (in English or Korean). Or recently had tongue surgery. Or had to go to bathroom (Helen Alfredsson excuse). Or some other reason not to even appear on camera on camera at the end of the tournament to say "Thank you!" in English herself, through a translator or even in her Korean. Not to show her face at all is just bad. She may have been scared or confused about what she was supposed to say, but the Tour should not let a young player flounder like that. The players are professional entertainers and they should be helped in that role by the Tour.

When all the Golf Channel reporter can say is "The [fill in winner's name] won't be speaking to the media right now because she's not comfortable speaking in English" it's a huge fail for the American-based tour and proves Bivens right.

It's not a a fail for the player. It's a fail for the Tour.

Obviously it's clear from reading this thread that not everyone thinks it's important for the winner to show their face say at least two words on camera right after winning, but I think a lot of people do and it's not super hard to learn how to say "Thank you" in English (or even Korean would have been better than not showing at all) and the Tour should encourage, if not require, all players to say at least a few words to the media after they win.