Joh's Busy Week on Surf and Turf, Teare Comes Full Circle

JOH HAS A BUSY WEEK ON THE SURF AND TURF

San Diego’s hometown hero Tiffany Joh’s schedule has been jam-packed leading up to the first round of the 2018 Kia Classic.

“I almost think of the Kia Classic as my sixth major,” Joh said. “It’s such an important tournament to me and it’s really the only time I get to play in front of my hometown crowd. I love San Diego. It’s like the best place to grow up and the hardest place to leave. It’s just great to be back here.” 

Joh spent the day on Monday, along with fellow UCLA alum Mariajo Uribe, cruising around the San Diego Zoo in her sloth onesie. Due to her melanoma cancer diagnosis, Joh had to cut her 2017 season short but ramped up the 2018 season with major surfing plans. She didn’t any waste time making herself at home and managed to squeeze in four surf sessions before she teed off for the Wednesday Pro-Am.  

“You need something outside of golf to keep your head away from what’s going on the golf course and so it was nice.”

Joh will tee off at 7:22 a.m. on Thursday and will be joined by Celine Herbin and 2018 rookie Luna Sobron. 

To read the San Diego Union Tribune’s feature on Tiffany Joh surfing, click here: http://bit.ly/2GPt1tj

THINGS COME ‘FULL CIRCLE’ FOR ROOKIE TEARE

When 2018 LPGA rookie Kassidy Teare played in the season-opening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, it was the first LPGA event she had ever been to. This week, the San Diego native returns to the place where her professional golf dreams all began. 

“I think when I pictured myself playing professionally it was like this week is what plays in my mind,” said Teare, who grew up hitting balls and taking lessons on the Aviara Golf Club driving range. “My friends, family are there; the ropes are there; the cameras are there. It was like this is where I was playing in my mind.” 

Teare has yet to make a cut in three starts as a rookie, but knows playing in the big leagues requires a big learning curve.

“I think my goal is just to feel comfortable and like really trust that I’m supposed to be here and I belong here. Believe it and play like it, you know.”

Teare attended Long Beach State University where she was the 2016 Big West Player of the Year. She recorded two top 10s in her first season on the Epson Tour last year. In December, she birdied her final five holes to shoot a 6-under par 66 and finish T10 at LPGA Qualifying School Final Stage to earn her 2018 Tour Card.

Now, she’ll get the chance to play in front of family and friends as a full-time LPGA pro. 

“As long as no one chickens out with the rain coming. We melt here in California.”