Defending U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour Bank of Hope Match Play ($1.5 million purse) champion Ji-hee Kim emphasized that match play should be fearless.
“The beauty of match play is that if you play fearlessly, it leads to good results,” said the defending champion at her press conference on Thursday (July 24), a day before the tournament begins. “Even (last year), I knew that if I made a mistake, I could make up for it by being more aggressive. I feel more confident than in stroke play tournaments.”먹튀검증
Ji-hee Kim defeated Ayaka Furue of Japan in the final last year to win her sixth career LPGA Tour title. She also became the oldest South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour at 36 years and 17 days old.
“I have nothing but good memories of this tournament. I have high expectations. I still remember winning last year. I hope my luck will continue this time and I can play a good game,” she said.
“I was happy to win, but it was very hard physically,” said Ji-hee, who added, “You need to be physically strong to win match play. She praised herself for playing well. I also qualified for the US Women’s Open. It was rewarding,” she said of her victory.
“After the round of 16, I have only good memories, but I’m also worried about the third round (of the group stage),” added Ji-hee, who tied the match on the 18th hole in the third match of the group stage last year to advance to the round of 16.
“I think it’s a different mindset,” said Ji-hee, who said she has no special tricks up her sleeve as she prepares to defend her title. “You have to think about how your opponent is playing, unlike stroke play, where you have to maintain a good score from day one to all four days.”
“You have to think about the set-up on each hole, how you’re going to approach each hole, and how you’re going to hit certain shots a certain way,” Ji-hee said of the tournament’s venue, Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Competing in a group with Lynn Grant (SWE), Matilda Kastren (FIN), and Maddie Jurick (KEN), Ji-hee will face Kastren in the first round.