The Island of Oahu will say Aloha to the LPGA Tour for the fourth time this week at the LOTTE Championship Presented by HERSHEY.
“Pretty obvious I love coming back home,” said defending champion and native Hawaiian Michelle Wie. “I look forward to this event all year. I get to come back home after the season is done, and then I get to go back to Florida and start training and start my year up. I look forward to April.“
Other players echoed Wie’s statements about loving to be back on the Islands, including Paula Creamer and Inbee Park.
“It’s always a fun event for everybody,” said Creamer. “ People bring their families and stay in condos. It’s nice to be able to able to play different types of golf courses from the main land that we play. It’s a little bit different out here, so it’s fun. The sponsor does a great job of hosting us, and all the fans that come out are very supportive of the women’s golf.”
“I feel like we’re on holiday and playing golf at the same time,” Park said. “It’s a great place and a great tournament. I had good results last couple years, and hopefully I have another good one this year.”
Time Flies
Last season at the LOTTE Championship Presented by Hershey Michelle Wie was able to take home the title in front of her home state fans and make a dream come true.
“It really is crazy how time flies. Seems like yesterday,” Wie explained. “But last year really a dream did come true for me. Growing up here playing a lot of junior tournaments, Hawaii tournaments, always been my dream to win at home in front of my friends and family and just people that have been rooting for me since I was really young. So it was really cool to do that last year. It’s always fun to defend, so I’m happy to be back. Just trying to take it easy and having fun.“
Wie will be taking a simple approach into her quest to repeat.
“I think the key for me is just not to look too far into the future and not put too much pressure on myself.”
Home game for Hyo Joo as well?
While rookie Hyo Joo Kim may be from Korea she considers Ko Olina her LPGA home as she has played in the LOTTE Championship Presented by HERSHEY every year it has been contested.
“I kind of feel like I’m home being at a tournament that’s sponsored by my own sponsor,” Kim said. “It puts a bit of pressure on myself to play better, but I feel like I’m home.”
On cloud nine
This week, Brittany Lincicome will be making her first start since capturing the ANA Inspiration and has been feeling the love all week.
“It’s been great,” Lincicome said with a smile. “Just coming out this week and all of my fellow friends out here
congratulating me and giving my hugs obviously makes it feel very special that they were rooting for me. I’m still on Cloud 9.”
While Lincicome may riding high from her win in Palm Springs she is still trying to keep her focus on the task at hand during this weeks LOTTE Championship Presented by HERSHEY.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this week goes,” Lincicome admitted. “Hopefully we keep the momentum going.”
LPGA players host junior clinic
Sandra Gal, Danielle Kang and Hee Young Park took time out of their busy day on
Monday afternoon to host a junior clinic of over 200 kids at Ko Olina.
“I think it’s always a good opportunity to give back,” said Gal. “There’s young kids out there who are just starting to get involved with golf and I think it’s great for them to be able to come out here and just see what we do and how we approach the game. It’s a great way to get kids outside and playing a great game.”
Gal has been very involved in growing the game as of late as she recently started an inside-the-ropes program for junior golfers at LPGA events.
“I love doing that,” Gal said with a smile. “I think it’s really important. I think it’s one of our responsibilities as role
models out here and I’m glad that I have the opportunity to do it.”
Quote of the Day
“Hawaii will be forever and always my home no matter where I live. You know the saying, you can take the girl out of the island, but you can never take the island out of the girl. It’s definitely true.”-Michelle Wie on returning to Hawaii
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