One of the pressing questions for the LPGA as it prepares for the '17 season is whether American players can "get back on the winning track," as only two U.S.-born players won tournaments in '16, according to an ESPN.com golf roundtable. Michael Collins wondered how the tour becomes "relevant in the U.S. again without an American superstar." Collins: "While the LPGA might be thriving overseas, when I speak to my golf fan friends, they roll their eyes when I bring up the LPGA." Bob Harig said the biggest issue is the "same as it has always been -- finding relevancy in a big sports landscape." Kevin Maguire said American women "need to start winning." For "such an international tour, wins from the country where it's based would go a long way, ideally early in the season," and a major or two "wouldn't hurt, either." Jason Sobel said the tour "does a terrific job of reaching its diehard supporters on a weekly basis, but too often has difficulties marketing to a wider mainstream audience." Sobel: "I don't have the answer to fix it, other than the ol' 'thinking outside-the-box' cliché. More tourneys in prime time, more tourneys on network television and more opportunities for the biggest stars to show off their personalities off the golf course, too." Collins and Harig said Lexi Thompson is the American with the "best chance to win a major" in '17 (ESPN.com, 12/19).
