Being the reigning US Open champion didn't make things any easier for So Yeon Ryu in the first round of the Australian Ladies Masters today (Thursday).
The South Korean star shot a sparkling 6-under 66 by Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set to take a one-shot lead over Australian Nikki Campbell and England's Felcity Johnson.
The duo fired matching 67s to in turn edge by a shot the three Australians in third place, Frances Bondad, Courtney Massey and Sarah Kemp
Ryu didn't try to hide the fact that she had battled to overcome some early nerves in this, her first competitive outing this season, but acknowledged that once she had found her momentum, she had a "lovely day" as she picked up three birdies on each of the two nines in her bogey-free round at a Royal Pines Course that was still soggy, but playable after heavy rain earlier in the week.
She said, enthusiastic as ever, "It was a great gallery, great caddie, it was a lovely day for me.( Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set)
"But I was really nervous because it was my first tournament of the year," she said, when explaining that the weight of expectation from her fans at home had initially weighed heavily on her until her first birdie helped boost her confidence and calm her down.
"I can't believe it. Yesterday the course was too wet, but today it was a lot better."
The caddy Ryu was talking about is Tom Watson, a 33-year-old Australian who has been working in Japan and this week is on trial prior to joining Ryu on a full-time basis
Watson, whose middle name is Jack after Jack Nicklaus, comes from passionate golfing family.
His father Peter played Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set while his mother Cheryl was born on the same day in the same year as American legend Tom Watson.
But Ryu credits his experience in Asia as one of his most valuable assets.
"Tom was a good advisor to me," she said. "He really knows the Asian culture, because he lives in Japan, so it's a lot of help to me.
Being the reigning US Open champion didn't make things any easier for So Yeon Ryu in the first round of the Australian Ladies Masters today (Thursday).
The South Korean star shot a sparkling 6-under 66 by Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set to take a one-shot lead over Australian Nikki Campbell and England's Felcity Johnson.
The duo fired matching 67s to in turn edge by a shot the three Australians in third place, Frances Bondad, Courtney Massey and Sarah Kemp
Ryu didn't try to hide the fact that she had battled to overcome some early nerves in this, her first competitive outing this season, but acknowledged that once she had found her momentum, she had a "lovely day" as she picked up three birdies on each of the two nines in her bogey-free round at a Royal Pines Course that was still soggy, but playable after heavy rain earlier in the week.
She said, enthusiastic as ever, "It was a great gallery, great caddie, it was a lovely day for me.( Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set)
"But I was really nervous because it was my first tournament of the year," she said, when explaining that the weight of expectation from her fans at home had initially weighed heavily on her until her first birdie helped boost her confidence and calm her down.
"I can't believe it. Yesterday the course was too wet, but today it was a lot better."
The caddy Ryu was talking about is Tom Watson, a 33-year-old Australian who has been working in Japan and this week is on trial prior to joining Ryu on a full-time basis
Watson, whose middle name is Jack after Jack Nicklaus, comes from passionate golfing family.
His father Peter played Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set while his mother Cheryl was born on the same day in the same year as American legend Tom Watson.
But Ryu credits his experience in Asia as one of his most valuable assets.
"Tom was a good advisor to me," she said. "He really knows the Asian culture, because he lives in Japan, so it's a lot of help to me.