HYO JOO JANG:
Q. Tell me about your background and golf.
HYO JOO JANG: So I was in Korea; when I was about 12 I start playing golf, like 11 in Korea age, and I got National Team in Korea luckily.
Q. How old were you then?
HYO JOO JANG: It was 2019.
Q. Okay.
HYO JOO JANG: So 2018 to 2019. Yeah, I got National Team and I decided to come America for the LPGA, and then I wanted to be more global, world, I wanted to see more bigger layouts, so that's why my parents made big decision and I got America 2019 October.
Q. How old were you then?
HYO JOO JANG: I was freshman in high school.
Q. Oh, wow. So you were 14, okay, at the time, 14, 15.
HYO JOO JANG: No, I was like 16.
Q. 16?
HYO JOO JANG: Yes, I was 16, and now I'm 18.
Q. Oh, wow. Okay.
HYO JOO JANG: And I was keep playing golf. I was playing AJGAs and I don't know that much American so I was just trying to learn culture, and now after a year I got better at it, so I played some of AJGA invitationals and I get to know how road to LPGA is.
And I heard how amazing it is, how they support for the LPGA.
Q. And you went to -- did you win anything on the AJGA?
HYO JOO JANG: I got second place.
Q. Uh-huh.
HYO JOO JANG: I got to like third place few times. I didn't play that much. Just a few tournament.
I had back injury at the time, so I went back to Korea for heal it. Now I'm better; I don't have any of it.
So that year was pretty bad to me, and I decided to play Stage I, Stage II Q-Series, and I prepare for that for like three, for month; didn't even play any tournaments.
Q. Did you do that here or in Korea?
HYO JOO JANG: In here.
Q. Here?
HYO JOO JANG: Yeah.
Q. Now, where did you move, Orlando?
HYO JOO JANG: Orlando.
Q. You speak English so well. Did you speak English in Korea before coming over?
HYO JOO JANG: Just barely.
Q. How did you learn?
HYO JOO JANG: I had to do well for my golf, and if I don't understand I won't leave here without my parents. So I just study hard at high school and I keep ask my friends, hang out with America friends and trying to speaking English.
Q. So just immerse yourself in English?
HYO JOO JANG: Yes. Still bad at the grammars and school stuff.
Q. No. It's terrific. I'm so surprised. There have been Korean players here 15 years that don't speak as well as you do.
HYO JOO JANG: If they try it they will do well.
Q. Yeah. But I think you do a wonderful job.
HYO JOO JANG: Thank you. Yeah, I got to know the Stage I, Stage II Q-Series and then I played not bad. Stage II I got third place and Q-Series I only play first week. I couldn't get into second week.
So my parents told me, you decide to turn pro or go to college, because college is also amazing. I'm only 18. So I told them I really want to turn pro.
Q. Okay.
HYO JOO JANG: That's why it's my first tournament here and I'm very excited.
Q. That's fantastic. Well, we're excited for you. Where do you live now in Orlando?
HYO JOO JANG: It's called IJGA International Junior Golf Academy. It's literally my second home. It's very comfortable to me. I have my house there, I have like my house parents and like all the stuff; they support me.
Q. Who's your instructor, coach?
HYO JOO JANG: They have a lot of instructors, but like I usually contact with my Korean coach.
Q. I see. So your coach is in Korea and you communicate that way?
HYO JOO JANG: Yes, that's true.
Fastscripts by ASAP Sports...
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports