World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu says she intends returning Down Under to play the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open at Kooyonga in February, 2018.
South Korea's Ryu, who has strong Australian connections including an antipodean coach and caddie, has missed the past two Opens since 2015 at Royal Melbourne.
She was part of an historic six-player playoff at Royal Melbourne in 2012, ultimately losing to American Jessica Korda, having had a makeable putt at the 72nd hole in regulation to win the tournament.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Golf Australia's Inside The Ropes podcast this week, Ryu said she intended being at Kooyonga next year.
"I'd love to go back,'' she said. "I miss Australia so much. I miss Vegemite, I miss all the great food in Australia, all the great golf courses, and of course kangaroos!
"Right now I'm planning to play (the) Women's Australian Open and hopefully a lot of fans coming out to cheer women's golf.''
Ryu, 27, last month elevated herself to world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
She is coached by Australian Cameron McCormick in Texas, and her caddie Tom Watson also is an Aussie.
Ryu said she was feeling the pressure of being No. 1 in the world, but that she would try to remain the same person. "I'm not going to lie, it's definitely extra pressure,'' she said. "But at the same time, that's what I always wanted to do, finally a dream's come true, so I want to handle this situation wisely. I want to be a great No. 1 instead of being a great player.''
Full interview: http://www.golf.org.au/newsdisplay/97385