Kim looks to hold on to Kumho Tires title

World No. 4 Kim Hyo-joo is back in Asia this week as the rising South Korean star aims to successfully defend her Kumho Tires Ladies Open title when the US$450,000 championship tees off Friday in Shandong province.

In her first full season stateside, the 19-year-old Bundang native has set the US LPGA Tour abuzz with US$639,784 in prize money on the strength of seven top-10 finishes, including a win at the JTBC Founders Cup in March.

Despite sitting seventh on the Tour's order of merit, the teenager is still not satisfied.

"I won once and had some good finishes on the US LPGA Tour for the past half year, but I just give me five to six out of 10. I missed a few chances. You know, I am inclined to give myself a lower rating," said a smiling Kim following her practice round on Thursday at Weihai Point Golf Resort.

After winning last year's Kumho Tires Ladies Open by a commanding seven strokes, Kim was modest about her chances of repeating as champion against a strong field in the China LPGA Tour-LPGA of Tour of Korea (KLPGA) co-sponsored event.

Also teeing it up this week in a warm-up for next week's US Women's Open in Pennsylvania are world No. 6 Feng Shanshan of China and a strong group of Koreans in world No. 22 Jang Ha-na, US LPGA Tour rookie Q Baek, KLPGA No. 3 Ko Jin-young and Park Sung-hyun, the Korean Women's Open Championship winner.

"I must be five to six out of 10 as far as my form is concerned. It's hard to predict who will win this week. It's not clear if I can defend this. The fairways are not long, but very tight. It could be very windy. Many uncertain factors are out there," said Kim Hyo-joo.

"But I had a week off entering this week. I am in a good health and fresh. I think I can handle this week and the upcoming US Women' s Open."

Jang, winner of the 2013 Hyundai China Ladies Open, has also had a strong start stateside this year with four top-10 finishes to sit No. 19 on the order of merit with US$341,236 in winnings. Last week, she won on the KLPGA Tour in a successful homecoming at the BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup in Ansan.

"I've had a decent start with my rookie year in US, but became stalled recently. The US Women's Open is coming. When I played the last week, I just relaxed. I didn't expect that I played well and finally won that," said the 23-year-old Seoul native.

"This week I would be with the same mental game and try to be fun. Hopefully, I can have the same fun and easy game, and it will become a good warm up for the next week at the end of day. I haven't had good finishes here for the past two years because I cared too much about the wind. This time, I have decided to play without fear about the wind direction."

Looking to spoil the South Korean's party in Weihai is Michelle Koh. The Malaysian notched her first pro win last month at the CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic and feels she has something to prove this week.

"Last year, I missed the cut by two shots, but I love this golf course. Everyone agree with that this golf course is one of the most beautiful. I'm excited to be here again," said the 24-year-old who sits fourth on the China LPGA Tour Order of Merit.

"You need patience and focus out there. You couldn't lose focus for a minute, or you had a big trouble. If you lose your temper and feel pressure after a bad shot or a bad hole, you would play worse."

With her maiden win coming in her second year as a pro Koh said she had gained great confidence.

"I doubted myself last year when I just turned pro. I think that I might not belong here. But the second year is a good year with a good and steady start. I believe that I can have a better score this week," she said.

"Many strong players are from KLPGA who make this event very competitive. But players from the China LPGA are good, too. Younger players are making progress and catching up with them step by step. I believe that they will have a brilliant future." Endi