The LPGA takes a mulligan on English its proficiency penalty

Shortly after announcing a new policy that would have fined foreign players who were not proficient in English, the LPGA withdrew the proposed rule. The reversal came following a widespread public outcry with many calling the new policy racist and xenophobic.

"I hope they consult civil rights groups, community organizations and leaders, so they don't come up with the same stupid decisions they came up with the first time," California state assemblyman Ted Lieu told the Los Angeles Daily Breeze.

Few would argue that proficiency in English is a worthwhile goal for foreign golfers playing in the United States. But the LPGA’s punitive approach created a well-deserved firestorm of protest. After hitting one this far out of bounds, let’s hope the LPGA will take a better shot at helping its players adapt to the demands of playing in a U.S. league.

Raul Ramos y Sanchez