IT’S GOING TO BE A BATTLE
The insanely intense battle for spots on the Korean UL International Crown and Olympics team continued this week in Singapore and Ha Na Jang’s mixed things up with her second-career victory. In such a strong field at the HSBC Women’s Champions, Jang is projected to move from No. 10 to No. 5 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Jang started the week on the outside looking in on a spot to compete in the international competitions but will jump up to become the second-highest ranked South Korean trailing only No. Inbee Park
World No. 2 Inbee Park said earlier in the week that just earning a spot on both teams will be the toughest challenge this year.
“It is very tough. I think at some point No. 8 won’t get to go,” said Park. “That’s just the way it is. Just making the team is probably harder than to get a medal. That’s everyone’s goal.”
Based on this week’s rankings, six South Korean players are ranked in the top-10 in the world while nine are in the top-20. New rankings will be released tomorrow March 7th. Jang said the rankings are something she doesn’t want to get caught up in the rankings and will try to focus on her game week in and week out.
“I don’t want to think about the Olympics and the ranking, everything,” said Jang. “I’m playing golf every week and every tournament I enjoy, but I’m a little more -- the targets, I think about it. But I don’t want to think about ranking and Olympics and International Crown, just I want more enjoy playing golf, no pressure.”
SOUTH KOREANS IN THE ROLEX RANKINGS
As of February 29
| Rank |
Player |
| 2 | Inbee Park |
| 5 | Sei Young Kim |
| 6 | In Gee Chun |
| 7 | Amy Yang |
| 8 | So Yeon Ryu |
| 10 | Ha Na Jang |
| 11 | Hyo Joo Kim |
| 18 | Bo-Mee Lee |
| 19 | Na Yeon Choi |
TAMULIS’ LOOPER FRANK WINS ANNUAL CADDIE OF THE YEAR
HSBC continued its tradition in Singapore to award the “Caddie of the Year” and this year happened to be an emotional one. Thomas “Motion” Frank who loops for Kris Tamulis was announced as the winner on the 10th tee on Sunday before their 9:32am tee time. It was said to be a unanimous vote amongst the caddies and players. The result seemed to be kept a great secret as Frank’s reaction was pure shock.
“Really? In shock,” said Frank standing on the 10th tee. “Unbelievable. I love golf. I love this kids getting in golf. And golf has saved my life. That’s all I have to say.”
Frank helped Tamulis to her first career LPGA Tour victory last year at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic and used the win as a bright spot in a year that was marred by personal turmoil.
Four months prior to the win, Frank was at the Tour’s stop in Hawaii when he received the news that his house in Houston had caught fire and had significant damage.
Members of the LPGA family were the first to step up and help.
Frank was presented with a special bib for Sunday’s final round and said that being recognized presented a little extra pressure.
“I felt nervous, I did,” said Frank. “I got comfortable after a couple holes, but I felt a little more pressure just to perform better.”
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