2015 US Women's Open, Lancaster (PA) Country Club

When Grace Park was world #2, she seemed extremely popular with Americans. Her body just didn't allow her to stay there. Of course, I might be biased about her. Also, I think Se Ri...around the time of her HOF induction and the first wave of "Se Ri's kids" was very popular.

In-Gee as popular as any American? We'll see. I just don't have that kind of faith. For that to happen I think you either need to be very Americanized (Grace) or an icon (Se Ri).

You took the words right out of my mouth.
I was just about to reply to BKB, that Grace was more popular than Se Ri in the US because Grace is more attractive and had a more engaging personality that US fans could relate too.

But Se Ri was/is respected by US golf fans....when I saw Se Ri in Portland in 2013...she had maybe 15 people following her group and 2 of them were her sister and friend.

IGC can become a fav for US fans but these must happen:

a) she needs to be a dominator...5+ wins/year

b) learn English that she's confidence with quickly

c) dress in short skorts and play the sex appeal card. 

I followed Se Ri at the 1998 Safeco Classic, when she was brand spanking new on tour, and her galleries were ENORMOUS. I had no basis of comparison at the time, as I had never watched any women's golf. It was only later, when I had been around the game several years, that I could appreciate it. That year, even on Thursday morning, she had hundreds of people following her, and by the weekend (she was in contention) I could barely see anything while watching her. Se Ri was all ANYONE was talking about.

Just a couple of years later Se Ri's star had faded, but Grace Park NEVER had galleries remotely that big.

Somewhere I have a New York Times Magazine from 1998 with a profile of Se Ri. The article depicts the negotiating struggle and ELATION a tournament director experienced when he confirmed that Se Ri would be in the field for his event. It was a genuine coup for him to secure Se Ri. Can you imagine any US-based tournament director being that way about any of the Korean stars now?

I don't think In Gee has to 'dress sexy' to get attention; in fact, I think her girl-next-door kind of appeal would be the opposite of that approach. IMO, she really has a lot of charisma that comes through even when she struggled to answer questions in that clip above. I think her looks and presence are important, but her real special gift is her ability to genuinely enjoy herself out there win or lose, and allow those watching her to sync with and share that joy. Combine that with her supernaturally great swing and ability to run off an amazing win like last week, and yeah, I do think she has crossover potential even without great English skill.

But I do agree: she will have to win a lot and establish herself as a butt kicker to get there. I think she has the potential to do that, too.

Totally agree that she can be very popular.  I think the biggest thing is how much her personality shines through on the golf course!  While I really respect Inbee and really like NYC, watching them play isn't the most exciting thing ( and unless you're a golf groupie like most of us here, the channel will be changed pretty quickly.)  I'd like to see Ha Na Jang in contention a lot, because her charisma, personality also really comes through.

Also agree with others' that it's important she wins or at least contends often.  The more casual fans need a name they can latch onto and that's up there most weeks.  I don't think 'sexy short skirts' are needed!  She looks terrific and very athletic.

And she would need to get some better golf clothes

Southern California will get the US Amateur at San Diego Country Club in 2017.  It is unlikely the US Open will ever be played here. At least the men will be in LA in 2023.  I plan to attend if I am still alive.