New US PGA Championship titlist YE Yang has admitted that he had been mentally preparing for a final round showdown with Tiger Woods.
South Korean admits he had visualised playing Woods
New US PGA Championship titlist YE Yang has admitted that he had been mentally preparing for a final-round showdown with Tiger Woods.
The 37-year-old defied the bookies' odds at Hazeltine National as he became the first Asian-born player to win one of the four majors.
Woods had gone into the final round with a two-shot lead over Yang - and an impressive record of never losing a major when holding or sharing the lead after 54 holes.
However Yang succeeded where so many others had failed in the past - with the South Korean admitted he had preparing for the contest for some time.
"I've sort of visualised this quite a few times; playing against the best player in the history of golf, playing with him in the final round in a major championship. I have always sort of dreamed about this," Yang said through his interpreter, agent Ryan Park.
"I've seen throughout Tiger's career that a lot of players have folded probably on the last day when playing with him.
Chance
"So when I was at home or at a tournament watching Tiger in the clubhouse, I'd usually try to visualise and try to bring up a mock strategy on how to win, if I ever played against Tiger.
"But when the chance came, I thought, 'Hey, I could always play a good round of golf and Tiger could always have a bad day'. And I guess this was one of those days."
A superb eagle at the 14th set Yang up for the victory and although he held a one-shot lead on the last, he still couldn't help but fear the worst against Woods.
"I've seen through highlights while playing in the same tournaments that Tiger makes some miraculous shots and miraculous putts," Yang said.
"I've seen it throughout his career, and I've admired him and respected him.
"So on the 18th green, when he was making that chip shot, I was praying it wouldn't go in."
