GURNEE, Ill. – When the South Koreans knocked the Americans out of the inaugural UL International Crown two years ago, television sets were practically overheating in Korea.
It was around 7:00 on a Sunday morning in Seoul when So Yeon Ryu made birdie on the first playoff hole to eliminate the Americans and grab the wild-card berth into the final round of singles play.
“It was the highest rated LPGA telecast of that year in Korea, by far,” said Sean Pyun, the LPGA’s managing director of international business affairs. “And that window when the Koreans and Americans were in the playoff, that was the peak moment of the ratings.