my Yang is ending her fairly eventful three-year relationship with Australia and moving to the United States to continue her golfing career.
In 2006, Yang, a 16-year-old Gold Coast-based South Korean high school student, won the Australian Ladies Masters as an amateur, beating American Catherine Cartwright on the first hole of a playoff at Royal Pines.
Yang became the youngest winner of a Ladies European Tour event and the first amateur winner in 22 years _ after Gillian Stewart won the European Open at The Belfry in 1984.
After completing her studies at nearby Robina High School late last year, Yang has decided she'll move house with her family to the U.S., like in Florida, in order to be more centrally located for events in Europe and the LPGA Tour.
``It just makes sense to be over there,'' Yang said Wednesday after her pro-am appearance at this year's Ladies Masters at Royal Pines.
``Australia has been my second home, and I will miss it.''
Yang, who will turn 19 in July, had hoped to play full-time on the LPGA Tour this season, but was only able to acquire a conditional card at the qualifying school, giving her only limited starts in the U.S.
She'll play mostly on the European tour beginning in April, and fill in the weeks before then with possible tournaments in her native South Korea and Mexico.
Yang needed a special exemption from the European tour when she began play in 2006 because she was under 18, becoming the tour's youngest member when she turned pro in October of that year.
Her Australian Masters win gave her exempt status on the European tour until November 2009. She earned more than euro73,000 (US$106,800) in Europe last year in 10 tournaments, finishing 29th on the Order of Merit.
Yang, who finished fourth at last week's Australian Open at Kingston Heath in Melbourne, said she's feeling uncomfortable going into Thursday's first round at Royal Pines.
``I didn't play well here last year, so I'm a bit nervous,'' said Yang, who missed the cut in 2007. She tees off at 7 a.m. Thursday with last year's champion and six-time Masters winner Karrie Webb.
Two years after her groundbreaking win, Yang says she feels she or her game hasn't changed much.
``Not a lot, I play much the same, but of course, I have more experience,'' she said. ``And my course management is better.''
Yang has also been able to control her emotions better on course, and she credits her mother, Sun-hee's, calming influence.
``She makes me feel very comfortable, very relaxed,'' said Yang. ``She has been a big help to me.''
Tue February 5, 2008 23:54 EST
DENNIS PASSA
AP Sports Writer
GOLD COAST, Australia
South Korean native Amy Yang has impressed the golfing world during her three years in Australia.
(KEYSTONE/Karl Mathis)
my Yang is ending her fairly eventful three-year relationship with Australia and moving to the United States to continue her golfing career.
