Date: July 15, 2010
Author:

Jeong ready for first Open Championship

Melbourne resident, Korean Jin Jeong is set for the biggest day of his golfing career when he tees off in the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews in Scotland tonight. Jeong, 20, earned his place after victory at the British Amateur Championship in June. The Waverley Golf Club member will tee off at 6.31pm tonight (AEST), paired with 2009 PLAYERS champion Henrik Stenson (SWE) and two-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar (USA). The current world number two amateur said he was looking forward to playing. I am very excited now. I can&apost believe I am here to play this championship and the course is great, Jeong said. It’s not very easy, especially the 17th hole. I will be very happy to walk off with 4 or 5. Jeong has had some expert assistance to help him get used to playing the famous Old Course layout. I played with Robert Allenby on Monday and he was great and gave me a lot of tips about this course, Jeong said. As well as Allenby, Jeong has played practice rounds with 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover, 2009 PGA champion Y.E Yang and former world number 3 Davis Love III. They were all nice guys, and watching their play was very helpful, Jeong said. Waverley Golf Club Head Professional Trevor Flakemore is Jeong s coach. Earlier this year, Jeong won the Riversdale Cup at Riversdale Golf Club by three strokes. In winning the British Amateur championship in June, Jeong earned an exemption into this year s Open Championship at St Andrews and an invitation to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National.