toto3650001   Album Posted Apr.4th, 2024, viewed 14 times

Byung-Hoon An, who returned to the Masters after four years

42nd in the world ranking to secure a berth
Tell me how you feel in a video interview on the 2nd
"I'm looking forward to being with my family"

"The way back wasn't easy, but it's so nice to be able to come back."

Ahn Byung-hoon, 33, who is participating in the Masters Tournament, which is the first "dream stage" in four years, expressed high expectations. He made the remarks in a video interview with Korean reporters on Tuesday.

Ahn Byung-hoon said, "I'm happy to go back to the Masters and I'm looking forward to it because I'm going with my family for the first time this year," adding, "Of course, I want to perform well in the competition that all players dream of."

Ahn Byung-hoon secured a berth to participate in the Masters by maintaining his 42nd place as last week in the men's golf world ranking announced the previous day. The Masters, which will open at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on the 11th local time, will give invitations to players who were not qualified to participate among the top 50 players in the previous week of the tournament. "The Masters is the most difficult to participate in among major competitions," said Ahn Byung-hoon, who emphasized the speciality of the Masters. "As it is a tournament with a tradition, I feel unique, which is hard to describe in words."

Ahn won the title at the age of 18 at the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2009 and participated in the Masters for the first time in 2010. Since then, he has played in Augusta in 2016, 2017 and 2020. His best record was tied for 33rd in 2017. "I have not prepared anything more for the Masters, but since it is such a difficult course, I need to prepare well when I go to the stadium," he said. "Since I am back after a four-year absence, I think it is more important to prepare there."

Expectations are high this year more than ever before. "I'm playing the best golf compared to the past few years," said Ahn, who has been in top 10 for three times in eight PGA Tour tournaments this season. "I've gained confidence in my shots."

The reason this year's event is even more special to Ahn is that he will be with his family for the first time. He will be accompanied by a four-year-old son and a newly turned daughter. His wife will wear a caddie bag for the Par 3 Contest. Ahn got married in 2018, but he was not able to join his family at the 2020 Masters due to COVID-19 pandemic. "I only experienced the Par 3 Contest in 2010, when I first participated in it, and it was a shame that I could not participate after that," Ahn said. "I have high expectations to join my family this year."

Ahn Byung-hoon will participate in the PGA Tour Valero Texas Open, which opens on the 4th, and then move to Augusta, Georgia, the U.S., where the Masters will be held. 토토