At the end of her press conference, after winning the Buick LPGA Shanghai by two strokes on Sunday, in her second career victory, Danielle Kang was asked a simple but somewhat embarrassing question: Why not? haven't you earned more?

Buick LPGA Shanghai: Danielle Kang victorious

Danielle Kang - © Getty Images / LPGA

It's a question that probably didn't surprise Kang too much, one that must also lurk in his competitive spirit. Kang qualified and competed in the 2007 US Women's Open at the age of 14, just a year and a half after she started playing golf. She is one of four players to have won back-to-back American amateur titles since World War II, between 2010 and 2011. Her first victory on the LPGA Tour was a major, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2017. She is a great one. a competitor at heart, athletic and powerful, she also likes the spotlight. So why, after joining the Tour in 2011, is it just her second LPGA victory for her?

Simple questions don't always have simple answers. But Kang took the matter head-on.

« I had to go through some swing changes. I had swing issues, putting issues, and whatever else you could think of »said Kang. « Overcoming the fear and anxiety you feel as you stroke, golf is so important to you. And the things I had to deal with along the way. You know, I'm so happy to be where I am today. I'm just happy I won. »

For this victory in Shanghai, his coach and his caddy were two important factors.

Kang started the final set tied for the third time, one step ahead of Carlotta Cigana and Sei Young Kim. After completing the first nine holes with a score of 37 (+1), Kang needed a total reset. Her caddy, Ollie Brett, stopped her after the ninth hole, pulling her aside for a chat.

« He told me, little matter what you do to release your anger, start again and cool off, you have to do it now »said Kang. « I told him, the cameras are everywhere. I just want to hit the bag real hard. He said, here's a wedge. Just break it. Honestly, I thank him for that. He said there were a lot of birdies to be made there. I pulled myself together and we started a new round on the 10th hole. »

The strategy worked. Kang finished at (-4) for a score of 69 in the closing, leaving her a total of 275 (-13) at Qizhong Garden Golf Club, two strokes ahead of seven tied players, including five players who won LPGA wins. Tour in 2018 also participated in this meeting.