Stacy Lewis has done what no American has been able to accomplish for 18 years – win LPGA Tour Player of the Year honors. She is the first since Beth Daniel back in 1994 and follows almost two decades of domination by foreign born golfers.
The award has a history of runs or streaks with Annika Sorenstam of Sweden winning eight years, Lorena Ocha (Mexico) four, Karrie Webb (Australia) two, Yani Tseng (Taiwan and 2011 winner) two and England’s Laura Davies one.
Korean born Inbee Park finished a distant second to Lewis for the 2012 season.
Lewis had a great year by anyone’s standards with four wins and moving to second place behind Tseng in the world rankings.
The LPGA under new commissioner Michael When is making great strides becoming a truly worldwide tour. It would help regain visibility and fan interest in this country if Lewis’ accomplishment is a precursor of Americans taking center stage once more.
