Ha Na Jang says that her surprise announcement this week that she would be leaving the LPGA Tour to play on the domestic Korean women's circuit this season was prompted entirely by family reasons.
South Korean Ha Na, the Rolex Rankings world No. 10, told a news conference in Seoul that being closer to her mother was the motivating factor behind her decision to rescind her membership of the LPGA Tour.
"I thought being world number one was the only goal in my life and that was where my happiness comes from," said the 25-year-old, a four-time winner on the LPGA Tour. "But I realized there are many more important things than that.
"Even though I won four times (on the LPGA Tour) I still felt empty inside. I made this decision because being with my family is just as important to me as being the world's top golfer."
Ha Na, who has triumphed eight times on the LPGA of Korea Tour where she was the leading money winner in 2013, has earned more than $2.6 million in prize money on the LPGA Tour where she played her rookie season in 2015.
Nicknamed "Clover Girl,” she racked up three LPGA Tour victories last year before ending the season fifth in scoring average (69.98) and fifth in the Race to the CME Globe. She then added a fourth LPGA Tour title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in February.
"The reason I've decided to come back (to the LPGA of Korea Tour) is that I've found something more precious than golf," said Ha Na, who credits her father as the person who has most influenced her career.
"And my goal of winning five tournaments in one year is something I really want to do on the KLPGA Tour. Also, I have won only two 'majors' on the KLPGA Tour so another target of mine is to complete the career grand slam (of four 'majors')."
Ha Na's 'major' victories on the KLPGA Tour came at the 2012 KB Financial STAR Championship and the 2013 Hite Jinro Championship.
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