All S. Korean female golfers ‘in top form,’ says coach

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) — South Korean Olympic women’s golf coach Pak Se-ri sounded confident in her team’s medal chances on Tuesday, saying each one of her four players is peaking at the right time.

The World Golf Hall of Famer got in a practice round at the par-71 Olympic Golf Course with her players a day before the opening around. South Korea is represented by Park In-bee (world No. 5), Kim Sei-young (No. 6), Chun In-gee (No. 8) and Amy Yang (No. 9).

They have combined for 25 LPGA wins and eight majors.

“Right now, our players are in top form,” Pak said. “In terms of their ball-striking and course management, they’ve met my expectations. I am satisfied.”

Pak said her only concern is how the players will handle the nerves on the first day. Given the popularity of women’s golf in South Korea, the four players will compete under immense pressure to bring home a medal.

“These players are quited used to performing under that sort of pressure,” Pak said. “I think a little bit of nervousness may actually help them.”

During the men’s competition last week, the players constantly pointed to the wind as the key factor, because of its sheer speed and its unpredictable directions.

“The most important thing on the first day is to avoid making big mistakes,” the coach said. “The weather will be something to keep an eye on, but as long as we don’t fall back of the pack too much, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Chun will be the first South Korean to tee off Wednesday at 7:52 a.m., along with Nicole Broch Larsen of Denmark and Paula Reto of South Africa.

Park has been paired with Gerina Piller of the United States and Azahara Munoz of Spain at 9:03 a.m. Yang will play with Minjee Lee of Australia and Sandra Gal of Germany starting at 10:36 a.m.

Kim is in the second-to-last group with Stacy Lewis of the United States and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand at 10:58 a.m.

The course plays 6,245 yards for women.

South Korean Olympic women’s golf coach Pak Se-ri speaks to reporters at the Olympic Golf Course in Rio de Janeiro after a practice round on Aug. 16, 2016.