Six-under par is a great score for any golfer, yet, when the athlete knows they can shoot even lower, it’s merely acceptable.
“Actually, I've been hitting the ball really, really well today, so hopefully I can shoot some low number. And even though I played a few events in Korea, I never really had low scores. So I really wanted to shoot like 8 under, 7 under, so that's what I was looking for. I was expecting little better than 65, but once again, 65 is always good score to have,” said So Yeon Ryu, tied for the lead at the Volunteers of America Classic.
Her first LPGA Tour event since ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in February, Ryu didn’t come in with any real expectations. Yet, she knew her swing was off, so coming back to the United States and seeing her coach again for the first time in months helped her, which showed this week.
“Well, to be honest, was bit of struggle with the ball‑striking the last two days, but I went to see my coach on Monday. I haven't seen him for nine months and finally got to see him, and he gave me couple of swing thoughts and that one really worked out well today. So I have no complaint about my ball‑striking today,” said Ryu.
NO MATTER THE COURSE, QUEEN INBEE SHINES AT VOA CLASSIC
When it comes to the VOA Classic for Rolex Ranking No. 5 Inbee Park, she’s most famous for winning the event in both 2013 and 2015. But the event wasn’t played at Old American Golf Club. This week, the “Queen” of the LPGA Tour proved venue doesn’t matter, as she looks to be the third Tour winner of 2020 with multiple victories this season.
“This golf course, the greens are just so pure. I had a couple of mistakes, you know, greens are just too fast for me. I have been practicing a little bit on the slower green than this, you know, last couple of months,” said Park. “So I'm just trying to still adjust a little bit of speed, but the course is in really good condition. Greens are a little bit softer than last year, but with the cold weather it is playing tough. Once you miss the green, it is really hard to get up and down so you have to hit a lot of greens on this golf course.”
Flying back home to the Republic of Korea after taking second at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in early October, the 32-year-old LPGA veteran had lower expectations for the week. Instead, she presented the week more as an opportunity to warm up for next week’s U.S. Women’s Open, which she won in 2008 and 2013.
“I think I was probably thinking that I am going to be a little bit rusty and just trying to get things going before the Open, and that's what I'm trying to do. I mean, it is tough with the little bit chillier weather, but that's how we're going to get next week so trying to get used to playing in cold conditions, and I feel like I'm doing just fine,” said Park.
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