Byunghun An: "My Golf Game Is Getting Better and Better"

Performance Not Outstanding This Year, but Play Shows Improvement
Overall Game Has Improved Compared to Last Year
"I Will Make This Year My Career-High Season"

Byunghun An has hinted at a turnaround for the remainder of the season.

On April 29 (local time), during an interview at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71, 7,569 yards) near Dallas, Texas, where the PGA Tour's CJ Cup Byron Nelson (total prize money of $9.9 million) was being held, An said, "Overall, my game has improved compared to last year. Everything has gotten better, including my tee shots, irons, and putting," adding, "I hope this year, not last year, will be my best season."

Byunghun An challenges for victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Last year, since making his PGA Tour debut, An achieved his best results yet. Although he did not win a title, he finished runner-up at the Sony Open, third at the Wells Fargo Championship, fourth at The Sentry, tied for fourth at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and tied for eighth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, making the top 10 five times. He also competed in the season-ending Tour Championship, finishing 21st in the FedEx Cup rankings.

The long-hitting An said his play on the greens has improved. "Switching to a broomstick putter has improved my putting," he explained, adding, "I also changed my putting coach this year and am seeing results." However, he has not achieved the results he hoped for this year, with only one top-10 finish and mostly mid-tier placements. An expressed confidence, saying, "I'm not impatient. I am convinced my game has improved, so I believe good results will come eventually."

An also shared his positive feelings about this tournament's course. Laughing, he said, "Honestly, if I get good results on a course, I tend to think it suits me well." He added, "When I return to a course where I've played well before, I naturally feel more comfortable and confident that I won't make mistakes." He did not hide his hopes, saying, "I hope this tournament will be the starting point that makes this year a 'career-high' season."