Despite the meteoric rise of women’s sports in 2025, with record-setting viewership and social media engagement across sports like basketball, tennis, and soccer, women’s golf appears to be languishing in the shadows. High-performing golfers like Rose Zhang and Nelly Korda are delivering exceptional performances on the course but failing to garner the deserved recognition and media exposure.
Rose Zhang, the Stanford student and double LPGA title holder, recently made waves when she openly criticized the LPGA’s promotional efforts. When asked if she thought the LPGA was doing enough to promote its stars, Zhang responded with a resounding “No”. She spoke not just for herself, but for many others who shared her sentiment. Zhang’s cutting remarks ignited a flurry of discussions within the golfing world.
During her interview, Zhang further clarified her stance, stating that the LPGA needed more diverse characters to better represent the tour and its values. She also pointed out that while there are players ready to step up and fill these roles, the tour has struggled with the strategic aspects of providing these players with wider platforms and media opportunities.
Zhang’s concerns aren’t new. Critics have often pointed out the LPGA’s inability to create a compelling narrative that would draw audiences to engage with the tour, beyond just their love for the sport. Moreover, the tour’s top players are hardly seen making significant media appearances to connect with larger audiences. The TV coverage of the sport has also been criticized for its lack of exposure and subpar broadcast quality.
A recent discussion on the 5 Clubs’ show brought more clarity to Zhang’s perspective. Gabby Herzig, the journalist who conducted the original interview with Zhang, was asked by Gary Williams to explain Zhang’s response. Herzig admitted that Zhang’s frank response had taken her by surprise, adding that the young golfer was not afraid to confront tough issues and was quite mature for her age.
Herzig also emphasized the disparity between the recognition received by female golfers and other women athletes. She cited the example of Nelly Korda who, despite her outstanding run of seven victories, did not receive the same attention or traction that basketball player Caitlin Clark did. Clark’s games in the WNBA consistently attracted over 2 million viewers and generated social media engagement numbers that far outstripped those of the entire LPGA Tour.
The criticism also extends to Zhang’s own achievements. As one of the best amateurs in golf history, Zhang’s accolades, which include spending a record 141 consecutive weeks as the world’s #1 amateur, winning the NCAA individual championship twice, and claiming both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Augusta National Women’s Amateur titles, are often overlooked. This represents a missed opportunity for the LPGA to promote one of their brightest stars.
However, it’s not the players who are at fault. Many, like Zhang, are more than willing to put themselves out there, share their personal stories, and act as ambassadors for the tour. The problem lies with the LPGA’s failure to capitalize on this eagerness and effectively leverage their star power.
Statistical data supports these claims. The LPGA’s total prize fund has grown by a remarkable 90% since 2021, yet its promotional impact has not kept pace. Official LPGA social media accounts managed to generate 5.1 million engagements across Instagram and Facebook in early 2025, but individual players consistently outperformed these numbers by significant margins.
The disparity is evident in television exposure as well. At the 2025 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, 68% of athletes voiced their frustration with the antiquated content approval processes that resulted in significant delays.
In spite of these challenges, it appears the LPGA is working on new initiatives behind the scenes. One such project is a potential documentary series following select players throughout the season. While this is a step in the right direction, players express frustration with the slow pace of change.
The LPGA has a unique opportunity as the landscape of women’s sports evolves. With an average engagement rate of 4.6% across platforms, surpassing the PGA Tour, WNBA, and NWSL, there is clearly an audience hungry for more content. The LPGA must now bridge the gap between the extraordinary talent on tour and the broader recognition these athletes deserve.