Defending a major championship title just hits different, even when there are eight trophies on the mantel like Jin Young Ko has at home. The memories last longer, the emotions are stronger and the reunion is sweeter.
“It’s an honor to be back here after two years. I missed this tournament in 2020 since we couldn’t play with COVID all around the world. I missed this week, especially,” said Ko, who won in her last LPGA Tour start at the Volunteers of America Classic. “I finally got back to here, so I am very happy.
“I have seen my picture everywhere, so I was thinking, wow, that was just two years ago but feels like it was five years ago. The picture really looks young. What happened after two years with my face? Feeling like this week is my hometown with my pictures everywhere.”
Earlier today, it was announced that Ko would be one of several LPGA Tour members featured in the EA SPORTS PGA TOUR video game to be released Spring 2022. Evian Resort Golf Club, the host of this week’s fourth major on the 2021 LPGA Tour schedule, will also be a course that fans can play in the experience.
“I heard this is like the first time including women’s golf characters on EA Sports PGA TOUR games. I had a great time [with the shoot],” Ko said. “They made a lot of scans for my body, faces, everything. It was fun. This golf course is really wonderful [and deserving to be included]. I want to try it and relive the win when I’m not able to be in Evian.”
Ko heads off No. 10 tee tomorrow at 8:06 a.m. local time to begin her title defense. She will be joined by a pair of past Amundi Evian Championship winners, Anna Nordqvist (2017) and Angela Stanford (2018).
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