Driver back in Ariya’s bag
LPGA Tour star Ariya Jutanugarn plans to use her driver more frequently next year.
World No.5 Ariya, who turned 22 yesterday, arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday night along with older sister Moriya, also an LPGA member, and their mother Narumon.
Ariya won the season-ending Tour Championship in Florida on Sunday for her second title of the year and seventh of her career.
The Bangkok native also won at the Manulife Classic in June and took the top ranking after the triumph.
But that was the beginning of a slump in form that saw her miss the cut in four consecutive majors and drop to No.9 in the world rankings.
“I am satisfied with my overall performance this year. This is not because I became the world No.1 or won two titles but because I have learned a lot during bad times,” Ariya said.
“I have learned how to handle the pressure when you are in a slump in form.”
Ariya rarely hits her driver and in fact she does not put a driver in her bag in most weeks.
However, she may change that next season.
“I will try to use driver more frequently next year because you need it at some courses,” she said.
She also said she would work to improve her short game before next season starts in January.
Ariya said she did not set a target for next year as this would put extra pressure on herself.
Meanwhile, Feng Shanshan has retained her world No.1 ranking following the LPGA Tour’s season finale.
Feng, the first golfer from China to claim a top ranking, finished the Tour Championship tied for 21st on Sunday.
That was enough to see her hang onto the No.1 spot she had obtained earlier this month.
South Korean rookie Park Sung-Hyun was second in the rankings with compatriot Ryu So-Yeon third.
American Lexi Thompson was fourth and Ariya fifth.