Mi ready for unique experience
Mi Hyang Lee will tee off at this weekend's Toto Japan Classic as the defending champion of an LPGA Tour event for the first time in her career.
The Korean golfer won last year's event under its former guise, the Mizuno Classic, after triumphing over compatriot Ilhee Lee and Japan's Kotono Kozuma in a play-off.
"I’m trying to not think of being defending champion," she admitted to the LPGA website.
"A lot of people say congratulations defending champ and welcome back. It’s a little pressure but not much. I’m just trying to play my game. Last week, my play was a little bad so I’m trying to do my best this week. I want to play better than last week."
Even though she is trying to avoid thinking of playing the tournament as the defending champion, the Kintestsu Kashikojima Country Club is littered with reminders of her triumph there in 2014.
"When I saw my victory picture next to the player dining room it was great," Mi continued.
"When I got to the 18th hole teeing ground it felt strange because I can remember everything. When I walked the 18th holes it feels like I can remember everything from last year. I remember all of the good things."
It comes as no surprise that Mi remembers the 18th hole fondly, as that was the fifth and final hole of last year's playoff where she tapped for birdie from close range to win her maiden LPGA title.
"On the third playoff hole when we made every birdie putt" she recalled.
"That moment is the best of the best. Maybe one of the best moments of my life."
On the first two playoff holes, all three players notched pars, while all three made birdies on the third hole. On the fourth hole, three pars were once again the result, before Mi's accurate approach from 190-yards set up the easy birdie putt.
"Last year I putted really good so the key point for me is good putting," Mi concluded.
Latest
-
ScotlandKeith Pelley says new European Tour calendar could be ‘glimpse into the future’
The English Open has been revived as part of the new schedule.
-
ScotlandEuropean Tour to resume from July with six successive UK-based tournaments
Close House Golf Club, near Newcastle, will host the British Masters on July 22.
-
UKAll the key questions answered about the English Open’s return
The event was last staged in 2002.
-
ScotlandLee Westwood hopeful British Masters will go ahead in July
The tournament at Close House, scheduled to start on July 30, is set to be the first European Tour event since the coronavirus crisis halted action.
-
UKRory McIlroy predicts the Ryder Cup will not go ahead this year
The world number one believes it would be the ‘right call’ to push the event back to 2021.
-
UKTiger Woods and Peyton Manning win charity golf match for Covid-19 relief
The exhibition match, against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady, raised 20 million dollars.
-
ScotlandWil Besseling edges out Connor Syme to claim victory in BMW Indoor Invitational
The Dutchman finished third and second in the first two weeks of the home-based competition.
-
ScotlandTiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to meet again in Florida charity event
NFL stars Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will also be involved.
-
NewsDonald Trump delighted to see golf return and wants other sports to follow
The US President was among the viewers watching the TaylorMade Driving Relief.
-
NewsDonald Trump deflects Rory McIlroy’s vow to not play with him again
The US President phoned in as McIlroy played in a Sunday fundraiser for coronavirus victims.