Golf | English edict draws criticism

NORTON, Mass. — Imagine what could have happened to Angel Cabrera if he belonged to a tour that required its players to speak English.

A powerful Argentine who rose from an impoverished childhood, he won the U.S. Open last year at Oakmont by holding off Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk. In the hours after the trophy presentation, Cabrera made his way through a maze of media interviews in Spanish with an interpreter at his side.

Under a new LPGA Tour policy effective next year, Cabrera might have been suspended. Or, he might not have played at all if an official on that tour deemed he was ineffective in English.

"You don't have to speak English to play golf," Cabrera said Thursday in Spanish, joining a chorus of male players perplexed by the LPGA Tour's decision to be punish women golfers for not speaking English in pro-ams, trophy presentations and media interviews.

K.J. Choi of South Korea recalled his rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2000, when his English was so limited that he often got lost going to the golf course because he couldn't read street signs. He wasn't comfortable enough to speak English for five years, despite constant study.

Asked about the LPGA Tour's policy, he shook his head.

"It is a difficult situation," Choi said in English. "It is good for them to help players learn English. When I learned English, I became a better player. But to suspend them? I don't think so."

And if the PGA Tour had a policy like that in 2000?

"I would have had to go home," Choi said.

Golfweek magazine first reported the LPGA Tour's new English-only policy Monday, leaving the tour scrambling to explain and defend itself over the past several days as the issue has stayed on the forefront of public discussion.

The LPGA Tour didn't get this much attention when Annika Sorenstam said she was retiring.

"We have been puzzled, if not surprised, by some of the reactions," said deputy commissioner Libba Galloway, who previously was the LPGA's top attorney. "We see this as a pro-international move."

Havret leads Johnnie Walker

GLENEAGLES, Scotland — Ryder Cup hopefuls Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie had encouraging opening rounds in the Johnnie Walker Championship on Thursday.

Clarke shot a 1-under 72 and Montgomerie had a 74 on The Centenary Course at Gleneagles, where Frenchman Gregory Havret took the first-round lead with a 68.

Nick Dougherty had a 73 to start a late bid to rise from 14th in the standings to the top 10 who qualify automatically. His round contained five birdies and five bogeys on the windy 7,320-yard course with unpredictable greens after recent rain.

Two who could be ousted from the leading 10 on Sunday had mixed fortunes. Ninth-placed Soren Hansen shot a 2-under 71, while Oliver Wilson, 10th, had a 76.

Martin Kaymer, 11th, also shot 76. Ross Fisher, 13th, recorded a 72 as the late battle for places on the team heated up.