Rematch in Japan for Yang, Woods

Yang Yong-eun (34, Gauge Design), who won the HSBC Champions tourney last week defeating Tiger Woods, the top ranker in the world, now has his sights set on another title.

While play groups were formed for the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, scheduled to open on November 16 at the Phoenix Country Club (par 70, 6,907 yards) located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, Yang received special treatment.

At 9:30 in the morning on November 16, he will play his first round with Japanese veteran Yokoo Kaname, who was beaten by Tiger Woods last year after a close battle that extended to the fourth extra hole, and David Howell (England) who is 14th in the world rankings.

After embracing the trophy of the HSBC Champions tourney, he hardly had time for celebration. Since his arrival in Japan on the 15th, Yang, who is taking part in this tournament after two years, exerted himself to analyze the course. He said, “Even though the roughs are long and tricky, I guess it’s good for me that the course is advantageous to players with long strokes.”

Meanwhile, Woods will try to win the tournament for three years in a row, which has happened only once before in the tournament’s history. Playing at the same time as Yang, he will tee off at Hole Ten with two other Japanese golfers, Hoshino Hidemasa and Tanihara Hideto. In the midst of the growing interest of the Japanese press, Yang has also been appointed as one of the most likely winners. Among the Asian players who are in the tournament, Yang’s ranking, 38th, is only behind that of Katayama Shingo, who is ranked 33rd.

Alongside Yang, other Korean players such as Kim Jong-duk (Nanosoul), Hur Suk-ho (ranked sixth on JPGA money list), Jang Ik-jae (Hite), Shin Yong-jin (LG Fashion, ranked second on KPGA money list), and Lee Won-joon (21, an immigrant to Australia) will take part in the competition as well.

kjs0123@donga.com