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Stacy Lewis, a two-time major champion, recognizes the importance of growing the women’s game and is understandably frustrated.
Nelly Korda might be the hottest golfer on the planet right now. Yes, that includes Scottie Scheffler, the Masters winner who has won three of his last four tournaments.
That is because Korda has actually won four straight herself.
She is preparing for her fifth straight this week at the LPGA’s first major of the season, the Chevron Championship.
Two-time major champion Stacy Lewis addressed what Korda has accomplished leading up to the event.
“It’s very impressive. Four very different golf courses. And the three weeks in a row I think was the most impressive,” Lewis said.
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Stacy Lewis at the inaugural Ford Championship
“The amount of energy it takes to do that, I thought you would’ve maybe seen a little drop in play at Match Play just getting a little bit more tired.”
Not only did Korda not lose energy on the course, she dominated the competition. That was especially true during her matches over the weekend.
However, the championship match between Korda and Solheim Cup star Leona Maguire in its entirely could not even be viewed. Lewis also expressed her displeasure with the lack of television coverage.
“We got to continue to push our TV partners to help us get more coverage. I was disappointed to not see that entire match on Sunday on TV. I just felt like you’re really probably looking at a two-some, three to three and a half hours of golf, and I was really disappointed we didn’t get that entire match on TV.”
Instead, the Golf Channel split time with Korn Ferry Tour coverage.
That is embarrassingly poor decision making by the powers that be. Women’s golf is on the rise. Purses are at an all-time high, as more eyes and therefore ad revenue is being created.
Knowing the history of the sport and how male-dominated it has been, it would make sense to try and push the LPGA as much as possible.
It is easy to understand why Lewis was not thrilled. But she also recognizes that Korda is going to have to pick up the mantle to make a change.
“I think Nelly does have a responsibility, and she probably doesn’t always want it, just knowing her… We have to push out partners to say, how can we make this happen. It’s getting creative. Maybe changing tee timing, playing earlier, later, whatever it is. We got to figure out a way to be more visible.”
Lewis, an all-time great in her own right, is spot on with her assessment. The LPGA needs more visibility.
These women are incredibly talented athletes and deserve the attention.
Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.
