Unho Park aiming for back-to-back HKPGA titles
Australian feels good about his game as he tries to become the first to defend crown since 1994
Australian Unho Park is aiming to become the first player since 1994 to successfully defend his HKPGA Championship title when the event starts today at Hong Kong Golf Club.
Park, who lost his Asian Tour card at the end of 2011, credits his win in the Ageas HKPGA Championship in May 2012 for rejuvenating his career and winning back his tour card last month.
After enduring a miserable 2011 season, Park had little confidence in his game but for three days in May last year, he found the old spark and rode a hot putter to the HKPGA title.
"2011 was a real low point in my golf career. I played badly all year and lost so much confidence in my game. When I received an invite to play in the Ageas HKPGA Championship, I arrived with very low expectations. For some reason, playing on three different courses somehow changed my focus a bit and then on the last day at Kau Sai Chau I putted beautifully and managed to hang on for the win," said Park.
The Australian rode the momentum from his win to record a strong second-half showing on the Asian Tour and he finally finished in 59th position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, securing his full playing rights for the 2013 season.
"I must admit, winning in Hong Kong gave me a lot of confidence and I managed to take that confidence onto the Asian Tour. I played much better towards the end of the season and managed to just keep my card and finish in the top 60. It is so important to finish in the top 60 as that is the only way you can get into the richest events on the Asian Tour. I feel good about my game and hopefully I will put in a good performance this week and maybe even defend," he said.