Here are some photos the LPGA won’t show you… Sandra Gal of Germany was among those wearing a face mask for Round 3 of the Reignwood LPGA Classic [UPDATE: as well as for Round 4, with Jessica Korda and Jodi Ewart also posing wearing masks].
Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg tries the same tactic. Unfortunately, while these particular masks might keep the odd germ away, they won’t do much to block out Beijing’s notorious smog.
Players and caddies were among those trying to protect their lungs on Saturday.
As a glass half-full friend recently told me, “You have to work pretty hard to get pollution like this. That’s a good sign for the economy!” Most players, including Feng Shanshan who has a one-shot lead whose dramatic win was massively overshadowed by the pollution, weren’t wearing any protective headgear, but it doesn’t look very nice, does it?
The China Open tennis has been affected just as badly. Check out what the players are saying here. [UPDATE: What’s the one thing that’s worse than pollution in China, according to former world number 1 Stacy Lewis? Take a look here!]
Those masks won’t do a thing. The players should’ve sabotaged the play – or those who need to learn (to improve) about it will not learn about the effect of smog. (must wear N95 or others to filter the air a little, not those surgical masks – they are no use in smog.)
You’re absolutely right, those masks won’t help at all. Can’t see the players pulling out once they’ve gone all that way, though the tennis players at the China Open would have more of a case since they’re exerting themselves far more.