Pro Ranks Beckon for WAAP Champion Yang
Aichi, Japan: Professional golf and the Olympic Games are on Korean Yang Yun-seo's radar after narrowly missing out on a medal at last week’s 20th Asian Games in Japan.
Aichi, Japan: Yang Yun-seo may have wound up without a medal at last week’s 20th Asian Games, but the reigning Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) champion's performance was still impressive considering the pressure of being the linchpin of the all-amateur Korean women's team.
The teenager had just one poor day in round three when she shot a two-over-par 72 at Kasugai Country Club in Aichi Prefecture. Yang finished fourth in the individual event on seven-under-par 273 (68, 65, 72, 68), seven shots behind China’s Yin Ruoning and Singapore’s Shannon Tan who contested a play-off for the silver and bronze medals.
It was the team event that stung more. Yang and team-mates Kim Gyu-been and Park Seo-jin finished joint fourth, just three shots shy of bronze medallists Chinese Taipei.
With Kim and Park already in the clubhouse, Yang could have forced a play-off for the bronze with birdies on the last two holes - but that was a tough ask, as the 17th and 18th holes of Kasugai's East Course are both challenging par-fours, compounded by the pins being cut in tight spots for the final round. She went par- bogey, to miss out on a team medal as well.
“I'm not happy with my scores as the golf course is not that long. But it got windy in the last two rounds and the greens were firmer, so that made it more difficult. But I tried my best and gave my strongest effort,” said Yang.
“I am disappointed that I did not get a medal, but it is still a great honour to represent my country in the Asian Games," added the 18-year-old.
This Asian Games was also significant for Yang as it marked her final international event as an amateur. Having enjoyed a memorable year with three Major appearances as WAAP champion, Yang has decided to take the professional plunge.
“I will be turning professional next month and will play in the Korea LPGA Tour Qualifying School,” she revealed.
Yang has certainly shown that she can hold her own against the world’s best golfers, making it to the weekend at all three Majors she played in this year. Her Major report card was tied 38th at the Chevron Championship in the United States, joint 41st at the Amundi Evian Championship in France, and tied 51st at the AIG Women’s Open in England.
Yang has listed qualifying for the Olympics as one of her goals. The 2028 Olympics will be staged in Los Angeles, where the golf event will be contested at The Riviera Country Club.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is what every sportsperson dreams of, and I will work hard to achieve that goal," she said.
Korea's only golfing medal to date in the Olympics came in 2016 when the sport returned to the Games, through former world number one Park In-bee, who triumphed by five shots in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
