For So Yeon Ryu, one of her main objectives coming into the DIO Implant LA Open was simple: overcome jet lag as soon as possible. After finishing in a tie for 13th at the at the MEDIHEAL · HANKOOKILBO Championship last week in South Korea, Ryu flew to Los Angeles to get ready for Wilshire Country Club. You wouldn’t have noticed any lack of rest on the six-time LPGA Tour winner’s scorecard on Thursday – she carded four birdies and a lone bogey on No. 10 for a 3-under 68 – and Ryu currently sits in a tie for fifth after day one.
“I was in Korea last week so for me like No. 1 goal this week was just get used to this time zone,” said Ryu. “And then luckily I slept really well for last three days, and then when I woke up this morning I was like I finally just got rid of jet lag, so I was really happy with that.”
Ryu said she’s been working on her long game after having some swing troubles this season. The 31-year-old is in her 11th season on Tour and said she hasn’t had full confidence in her swing until recently. “The biggest thing was I feel like I have zero idea about my golf swing,” Ryu said. “But I feel like now I understand a lot and then now I know where to go, and then right now I feel like I'm going in the right direction.”
For Ryu, it helps to make her fourth start of the 2022 season in a comfortable setting like Wilshire. She’s seen quite a bit of success over her past three appearances in Los Angeles, including a solo fourth in 2018 and a T5 finish in 2021. After making her debut at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, her season-best finish is a tie for 21st at the Honda LPGA Thailand, and Ryu is looking to enjoy the challenge Wilshire poses for the world’s best.
“I'm not saying like tough one is always better, but this golf course are really good character,” said Ryu. “Then I think I played pretty well this golf course all the time, so I'm looking forward to finish strong this week.”
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