Jang Ha-na to leave LPGA to be with family

Golfer Jang Ha-na speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

Korean golfer Jang Ha-na said Tuesday she has given up her membership of the U.S. LPGA Tour as she needs more time with her family.

The 25-year-old, who already announced a move to the Korea LPGA (KLPGA) Tour through her agency Monday, held a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, and said she wanted to have more time with her aging parents.

"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."

The golf prodigy made her professional debut in 2010 and led the money list in 2013 on the KLPGA Tour. After earning her LPGA membership through the 2014 Q-School, Jang collected four wins and now sits at world No. 10 with 283.05 points. Her last win on the LPGA Tour was at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in February. She has been touring with her 65-year-old father Jang Chang-ho while her 66-year-old mother Kim Yeon-sook has been in Korea.

Jang said the decision she made came after asking herself hundreds questions.

"I made up my mind after seeing my mother, who's close to 70, lead such a lonely life here," the golfer said. "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 added her decision has no relation with the off-field incident that happened to her fellow Korean golfer Chun In-gee.

Last year, Chun missed three consecutive LPGA Tour events due to a lower back injury. On March 1, she was struck by a carry-on bag of Jang's father after he dropped the 15-pound bag on an escalator at Singapore's Changi Airport and Chun was hit on her lower back by it.

"That incident is not the reason why I came back," Jang added. "I've already talked to Chun about it quite a bit. I am here because I've found something more precious than golf."

Jang insisted while she is leaving the LPGA Tour behind, she isn't just giving up on her playing career.

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