Women’s Australian Open champion Ha Na Jang has revealed family is behind her decision to walk away from the LPGA Tour.
The effervescent 25-year-old, who won so stunningly at Royal Adelaide in February for her fourth career LPGA title, will return full-time to her native South Korea and play on the domestic circuit from June.
Jang, who has eight wins on the LPGA of Korea Tour, took her game to the LPGA in 2015, then sensationally won three events on the LPGA Tour in 2016.
The world No.10 then showed signs of another bumper year when she won in South Australia this year with an eagle-birdie finish that thrilled the gallery.
But in a media conference in Korea on Tuesday night, Jang said being away from home too often had taken a toll.
"There was a void that couldn't be filled even by all the victories,” Jang said.
"And I made this decision because I decided to spend time with my family as this is more precious than becoming the best golfer in the world.
“I want to enjoy the rest of my golfing career with my parents and my loved ones around me.
“I made up my mind after seeing my mother, who's close to 70, lead such a lonely life here.
“I thought being the best in the world was my only goal. But from now on, I'll spend as much time with my mother as I can.”
Jang showed no signs of external tension in several compelling media interviews at the time of her win in South Australia, but was reportedly under regular pressure from some quarters at home after an accident involving her father dropping a bag at an airport last year and injuring fellow Korean star In Gee Chun.
But Jang dispelled those doubts last night, confirming the pair had spoken regularly of the incident and were happy that it was in the past.
“That incident is not the reason why I came back (to Korea),” Jang said.
“I've already talked to Chun about it quite a bit. I am here because I've found something more precious than golf.”