U.S. Open winner says aiming for second grand slam title

INCHEON, July 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean female golfer Ji Eun-hee, returning
home Tuesday after an upset victory at the U.S. Open, said she is going for her
second grand slam trophy at the British Open later this month.
"I'm so happy, and I can really feel now that I finally grabbed a major
tournament title, seeing a lot of fans here," said the 23-year-old golfer,
welcomed in the early morning by scores of fans and supporters at Incheon
International Airport, west of Seoul.
"I'm not going to be over-zealous for the remainder of this season," Ji said.
"The Evian Masters and the British Open are scheduled this month. If I can, I
want to win one more time."
Ji came back from behind with a six-meter birdie putt to grab her first ever
grand slam title, edging out Taiwanese Candie Kung by one stroke at the U.S. Open
in Pennsylvania on Sunday (U.S. time). The win was her second LPGA tour victory
after taking the Wegman's title last year.
She plans to head out to Europe next week after a brief break in Seoul to compete
in the British Open tournament that opens on July 30.
"I will rest first, and then I will meet friends and just chatter away," she said.
Ji is the fourth South Korean female to win the U.S. Open title after Pak Se-ri
first won it in 1998.
Ji attributed the recent stellar performances by Korea's female golfers to their
deep concentration.
"They only know golf and have no interest in anything else. That must be the
biggest reason for their victories," said Ji.
The country's female golfers have added five more LPGA trophies since rookie Shin
Ji-yai won the HSBC Championship in March this year.
Ji said she was looking forward to competing, and hopefully winning, against
Shin, who tops the LPGA official money list with some US$1.08 million. Ji ranks
fifth with $832,907.
"Shin is a good rival. We will compete with each other," Ji said.
brk@yna.co.kr
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