The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Former champion regaining confidence after solid 1st round at Korean LPGA stop

By Yonhap

Published : Oct. 12, 2017 - 14:44

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South Korean golfer Amy Yang said Thursday she feels her confidence is coming back after a solid start to the LPGA stop in her native country.

Yang carded a two-under 70 to position herself among the top 15 in the early part of the opening round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship. Held on Ocean Course at SKy 72 Golf & Resort, this is the lone LPGA held in South Korea each year.

Yang is the 2013 champion of this event, and at the 2015 tournament, she tied the LPGA record for consecutive birdies with nine. And the 28-year-old said she hopes to build on those fond memories and her "satisfactory" round on Thursday. Yang dropped in six birdies but also had four bogeys.

In this Associated Press file photo taken on July 14, 2017, Amy Yang of South Korea tees off on the second hold in the second round of the US Women`s Open on the LPGA Tour in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Yonhap) In this Associated Press file photo taken on July 14, 2017, Amy Yang of South Korea tees off on the second hold in the second round of the US Women`s Open on the LPGA Tour in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Yonhap)

"I am getting back my confidence, but it's not something that happens overnight," Yang said. "It's going to take some time. Today, I was happy with my play overall. I struck the ball well and my putting was solid."

Yang, whose Korean name is Hee-young, does need a shot of confidence. She is winless since picking up her third career win in February in Thailand. She has five other top-10 finishes this season, but none since tying for eighth at the US Women's Open in July.

And this tournament couldn't have come at a better moment for Yang. This is her first appearance on home soil this year.

"It's so great to have my family over here cheering me on," she said. "I bear down that much more so I can play well for my family."

Yang rued poor execution on some of her shots in the opening round, and on the par-three third, she left a long par putt three feet short en route to a bogey.

"I just made some silly mistakes," she said. "I am disappointed with them, but I feel good overall."

Back in action after a three-week layoff, Yang said she feels ready to get back into the winner's circle, but doesn't want to get too far ahead of herself.

"If I tell myself I should do well, then it'd just put extra pressure on my own shoulders," Yang said. "So I just want to stay patient. And if I can play the next three days like I did today, I think my confidence will grow more." (Yonhap)