Taiwan Takeover

Lydia Ko’s dominant nine-shot victory last season made her the youngest player to reach ten wins on the LPGA Tour in history and allowed her to take back the top spot from Inbee Park in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Ko is seeking to build on a resume here that also includes a third place finish in 2014.

A win this week would make Ko the second player to defend this championship (Suzann Pettersen, 2012-13). It would also mean a tie with Ariya Jutanugarn for most wins in 2016 (5).

“When you come back to a place where you’ve played well before or you won there, you know, it feels a lot like home and you always love coming back,” Ko said. “I think there are a few reasons, but, you know, it’s been really cool.”

Ko has won 14 times in five different countries in her LPGA career and spoke of how much she enjoyed the different cultures she has experienced during her time on Tour at Wednesday’s tournament press conference.

“Our tour is very global. We go to these different countries and play in front of our fans, and I think it’s a great treat. It’s just so much fun.”

Seasoned Vet

Ai Miyazato will be one of four former World No. 1 players in the field this week at Miramar Golf & Country Club. The 11-year veteran realizes the game has changed a significant amount over the course of her career. She admits that her game isn’t what it used to be, but said she knows herself better and feels more comfortable playing on Tour than ever before.

“My game is not in good shape since last couple years, but I try getting there,” Miyazato said. “Like I said, this is my life, and sometimes you have to climb your mountain. All you can do is just be patient.”

With all of the youth success on Tour this season – 22-of-26 events won by players 23 or younger – one might think that Miyazato would be feeling the pressure going up against the likes of Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson. Instead, she calls the LPGA’s youth movement ‘inspiring.’

“They all know about it, you know, as a teenager, which is very interesting. It’s inspiring because they’re so motivated to win the tournaments. Sometimes just good to reminds me that fresh feeling to me, you know. So, I mean, it’s always fun to see them and fun to play with them. You know, hopefully I can keep up with them.”

Career Weeks At Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings No. 1 Position

Name	Weeks
Lorena Ochoa	158
Yani Tseng	109
Inbee Park	92
Lydia Ko	69
Annika Sörenstam	61
Stacy Lewis	25
Jiyai Shin	25
Ai Miyazato	12
Cristie Kerr	5

In The Field This Week

*Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings began in 2006

Staying On The Ground

Brooke Henderson has played in 25 of the 26 LPGA events thus far in 2016, tied with only two other players for the most on Tour (Kim Kaufman, Sakura Yokomine). The 19-year-old has more than proved she has the stamina to survive her hectic work schedule – Henderson is tied with Lydia Ko and Ariya Jutanugarn for the most Top-10 finishes this year (13).

After a streak of eight consecutive top-10s earlier in the season, Henderson enters Taiwan looking to make it three-in-a-row following a T9 at The Evian Championship and a T4 last week in China.

At the same time, Henderson maintained that having a good work/life balance is extremely important to her.

“I feel like I still have great relationships with family and friends,” said Henderson. “Everything in life I feel is going perfectly. Kind of living the dream that I always wanted: Traveling around the world competing against the best in the world.”

Happy To Be Back

Yani Tseng returns to her home country to play in this tournament for a sixth time. Tseng, who won the inaugural event in Taiwan by five shots in 2011, received a sponsor’s invite this year to compete once again in front of familiar faces.

“Feels like finally back to the where you feel familiar, and to see the fans, media, family, and friends out here, just feels like you’re not alone,” Tseng said. “You know, just feels great to be back in Taiwan.”

Tseng has a fresh outlook on her play this season. She is thinking less and playing free of worry, and thanks in part to new instructor Gary Gilchrist she produced her best result of the season last week at the Reignwood LPGA Classic (T16).

“For me, I think the reason why my score is better too is because I think my mind is much more calm than before. Like step on the tee I wasn’t thinking about mistake. I just try to say whatever happens and not think about too much.”

2016 Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship Wednesday Pre Tournament Notes

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