![\"golf](\"images\/golf\/golf-1.jpg\")
Osaka, Japan: Korea’s rising star Jeunghun Wang is eager to get into the thick of action at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup which gets underway at the Ibaraki Country Club’s West course on Thursday.<\/p>\nOsaka, Japan: Korea’s rising star Jeunghun Wang is eager to get into the thick of action at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup which gets underway at the Ibaraki Country Club’s West course on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old Korean, who just recovered from a stomach bug which caused him to lose six kilograms in weight, hopes to regain his form as he continues his Order of Merit chase at the ¥150 million (approximately US$1.3 million) event.<\/p>\n
“I was in Seoul the last three weeks. I was hospitalised for two weeks due to a stomach problem. I got really worried when I was in the hospital but I feel relieved that I am much better now,” said Wang, the top-ranked Asian Tour player in third place on the Order of Merit this week.<\/p>\n
Wang has enjoyed a highly successful season on the region’s premier Tour so far. He has impressed with one victory in Mauritius and five other top-10s, which include an eighth-place finish in Japan earlier in April.<\/p>\n
Prior to his win in Mauritius, Wang had secured a breakthrough win on the European Tour in Morocco. His memorable two-week swing in May saw him become the youngest player to secure back-to-back wins in the European Tour history.<\/p>\n
“I started practising just three days before coming here. A week ago, I could barely hit 100 balls as I was still low on energy. But after working on my fitness and starting to eat well, I feel a lot better. It is my first time playing this golf course so I am really looking forward,” added Wang.<\/p>\n
Thanks to his stellar performances on the Asian Tour, Wang earned his Major debut at The Open in July and represented his country in the Olympic Games last month.<\/p>\n
The young Korean is now fully focused on taking down the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
“It has been a big year for me so far. I have improved a lot as a golfer since my victories in May. I have gained a lot more playing experiences, having played on the European Tour over the last few months.<\/p>\n
“The game has improved and I feel like I am getting better by the day. I just got to keep practising. I will try and achieve better results in the remainder of the season and see if I can win the Order of Merit,” Wang said.<\/p>\n
Chinese ace Liang Wen-chong is also relishing a return to one of his favourite hunting grounds at the Ibaraki Country Club. He had enjoyed a tied-fourth finish when the Asian Tour last hosted an event here in 2013.<\/p>\n
“The game’s feeling alright. I am just trying to take it easy this week and not think too much about results. I have played this course a couple of times before. It’s nice to be back here,” said the 38-year-old, who had a second runner-up finish in Singapore earlier this season.<\/p>\n
“The course is in top condition as always. It can be anybody’s game this week. The course is playing longer with some of the par-fives converted to par-fours. That will be the main challenge I think. Tee shots will be key,” Liang added.<\/p>\n
Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong, a one-time Asian Tour winner, will take aim at another shot of glory at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.<\/p>\n
“I have had a lot more playing opportunities after winning in Bangladesh. I gained a lot of experiences and confidence playing in bigger events. My short game has improved too so I hope I can play well again this week,” said the 24-year-old Thai.<\/p>\n
The Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup is the Asian Tour’s second stop in Japan this season. The Tour will also be returning to the Ibaraki Country Club for the first time since 2013.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Osaka, Japan: Korea’s rising star Jeunghun Wang is eager to get into the thick of action at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup which gets underway at the Ibaraki Country Club’s West course on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old Korean, who just recovered from a stomach bug which caused him to lose six kilograms in weight, hopes to regain his form as he continues his Order of Merit chase at the ¥150 million (approximately US$1.3 million) event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[17876,12943,18035,466,11434],"class_list":["post-28904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-world-golf-news","tag-asia-pacific-diamond-cup","tag-golf-news","tag-ibaraki-country-club","tag-indian-sports-news","tag-jeunghun-wang"],"yoast_head":"\n