For some reason, Danielle Kang could not make a putt under 10 feet on Friday. So, she just decided to stop trying.
“Honestly, we just did not want to hit it close rest of the day,” Kang said of her strategy for round two. “All the birdies I made were over ten feet, so at one point (my caddie) was trying to club me one club less, so I have 30-, 40-footers.”
The strategy certainly worked out for the defending champion, who shot a 4-under 69 with five birdies and two bogeys, putting her at T7 on the leaderboard heading into the weekend. All five birdies came on long putts, but the most spectacular was a 40-footer on 18 to close out the day with a bang.
“I missed a three-footer couple holes back and it was really, really sad,” Kang said coming off the 18 green. “My caddie, Brad, said he would give me $20 if I made that putt, so I made it and looked at him and said, ‘Give me my 20.’”
It’s an unusual strategy for a six-time LPGA winner, but Kang said she has just been going with the flow at Lake Nona. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is the one tournament where Kang really feels like she can let her hair down and just enjoy the game.
“I love playing this event,” Kang said. “I’m normally very intense on the golf course, but this is probably the one event I’m very relaxed and just want to go with the flow and see how the amateurs are doing as well.”
Kang particularly enjoys spending time with the celebrities in her group. Thursday, Kang played with actor Alfonso Ribeiro – Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – and country music singer Lee Brice. Kang hit it off with Ribeiro and the pair even photobombed Brice’s interview with Golf Channel.
“Hopefully I start hunting down the leaderboard and then maybe I’ll get to be paired with Alfonso (again),” Kang said. “He sent a really nice message. He said it was one of the best golf days, so that makes me really happy.”
Kang has played with Brice every year since the tournament began and was happy to hang out her friend again. Unfortunately, Brice withdrew due to injury after round one, but Kang said she hasn’t seen the last of him just yet.
“I told him he’s still not leaving,” Kang said with a smile. “That means he’s around, because we’re having dinner and he’s going to come out and watch hopefully.”
Friday, Kang teed off with the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations Mark Wang AND came away from round two with a deep sense of gratitude.
“All I can say is thank you,” Kang said. “We are still a growing sport and we’re not at the destination we want to be. I think we’re heading in the right direction. CEOs like Mark Wang, when they jump that purse, those things are what’s going to help us expedite that process. I really appreciate those people.”
Kang hopes that there will be more events like the Tournament of Champions on the LPGA Tour in the future. And not just because she enjoys the fun, relaxed environment tournaments like this facilitate.
“Right now, any type of exhibition matches would be great for our tour,” Kang said. “The more eyes on us, the more they understand it’s fun out here. I really love the support that all the celebrities and other athletes give us. I love it when there are other athletes that support our game and our sport itself.”
With so much golf left to play, there is much fun to be had for Kang and maybe even another win to celebrate. But for now, going with the flow seems like a good plan at one of the most enjoyable events on the schedule.
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