World No 10 golfer Jang leaves LPGA to return to Korea
(From left to right) Michelle Wie, Lydia Ko, defending champion Ha Na Jang, Lexi Thompson and Paula Creamer posing during a photo call prior to the 2017 HSBC Women's Champions at the Sentosa Golf Club. Photo by Russel Wong/HSBC
Washington – World number 10 golfer Jang Ha-Na has dropped her Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour membership and returned home to South Korea, a decision she said was motivated only to be nearer her family.
The 25-year-old from Seoul won US$2.6 million (S$3.5 million) and four titles since joining the LPGA in 2015.
She plans to return next month to the LPGA of Korea Tour, where she won eight times and topped the money list in 2013.
"The reason I've decided to come back is that I've found something more precious than golf," said Jang.
"I thought being world number one was the only goal in my life and that was where my happiness comes from, but I realised there are many more important things than that."
Jang won three LPGA events last year, winning her only United States title at the now-defunct Coates Championship in Ocala, Florida, and following by taking the HSBC Women's Champions event in Singapore in March 2016 and celebrating with "Beyonce-style" dance moves that irked some fans.
A bag carried by Jang's father tumbled down an escalator at the Singapore airport last year and struck current world No 5 Chun In-Gee, a long-time Jang rival dating to their Korean tour days who missed the Singapore event after the incident.
Jang won the LPGA Taiwan Championship last October and this past February captured the Women's Australian Open.
"Even though I won four times, I still felt empty inside," said Jang of her LPGA days. "I made this decision because being with my family is more important to me than being the world's top golfer."
Jang's best finish in a major tournament was a share of third at the 2014 Evian Championship. She shared fifth in last year's Women's British Open.
After winning in Australia, Jang shared fourth in Singapore and fifth at the LPGA Founders Cup, but only cracked 70 once in three events since then, sharing 64th at the Kia Classic, 21st at the year's first major, the ANA Inspiration, and missing the cut at last month's LPGA Texas Shootout. AFP
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