Oh too modest
Rookie veterans favourite
SHE is regarded as the one to beat in today’s Vic Open, but that is news to newly turned professional Su-Hyun Oh.
“I’m really happy that they said I’m one of the favourites,” said Oh, responding to predictions from contenders Stacey Keating and Laura Davies.
“I had a good year last year and I want to do well in the tournament.”
But Melbourne-based Oh is not feeling the weight of expectation on her shoulders as she enters her first four-day event.
Asked if she felt any extra pressure, Oh said: “Not really.
“I have set standards for myself but I didn’t actually know I was the favourite.
“I’m just going out to play my best and see what happens. You never know.”
Fourth in the 2014 Vic Open, Oh is pressing for higher honours.
“You’d hope for some improvement. It would be nice to be four spots better.”
It has been a whirlwind ride for Oh, who rose to prominence in 2009 when she became the youngest ever qualifier for the Women’s Australian Open at just 12 years of age.
In 2013 she was ranked the world No.1 amateur and finished tied for second in the RACV Ladies Masters.
Oh was a member of the Australian team that won the Espirito Santo Trophy in Japan last year and gained status on the Symetra Tour.
The 18-year-old then turned pro in October, capping a stunning 2014.
But the magnitude of her climb in the golfing landscape is yet to truly sink in.
“I haven’t thought much about it, which is weird because I had so much time off over Christmas and the new year,” she said.
“Winning the team’s event with Australia was amazing. To finish my amateur career with that win was really good and it was a good stepping stone to turning pro.”
While she has contested just two tournaments as a pro — last week’s Pro-Ams at Castle Hill and Pennant Hills, both in NSW, where she lost a three-way playoff to American Beth Allen — Oh has already noticed a distinct change.
“As an amateur you win or lose, but as a pro you are rewarded for making a birdie on the last,” she said.
“It’s about trying a
little extra to finish as high as possible and you don’t give up. It’s nice to be rewarded for effort.”
If anything, Oh is feeling more relaxed with the idea of playing professionally.
“There’s probably less (pressure) if anything — I’m a rookie pro and I’m learning as I go,” Oh said.
“I can just learn and sit back and watch the veterans do it — I think there’s less pressure.”
Oh is thrilled to be playing in her home Open and hopes to have a posse of support at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links.
“I really enjoy playing at Thirteenth — the tournament has a great atmosphere. The last few years down there the crowds have been really good,” she said.
“I think my mum and brother will come down on the weekend, and dad will be around all week.
“Also I know a few friends that are thinking of coming down, so hopefully my friends will bring along their friends.”