Na bids to end trophy drought in Korea

KevinNa

The OneAsia Tour event has a history of American champions, with Rickie Fowler having won in 2011 and John Daly and Edward Loar doing the same in 2003 and 2004. 

But for Na, who was born in the South Korean capital of Seoul but now claims American nationality after emigrating to the United States at the age of eight, victory at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club would be doubly significant.

The 34-year-old – currently number 34 in the world - heads to the event as the highest-ranked player in the field and will be expected to emerge triumphant.

However, Na has not won a professional tournament since the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October 2011.

And, although he has five top-10 finishes to his name this season, Na goes into the competition having withdrawn from this year's edition of that same event in his hometown of Las Vegas last week after just 12 holes due to illness.

Na's main challenge is likely to come from a talented field of South Korean players, led by world number 99 Noh Seung-yul.

Noh won the first PGA Tour title of his career at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans back in April and ended his two-year majors absence at the US Open, where he finished tied for 52nd.

Defending champion Kang Sung-hoon will have designs on retaining the trophy, but has so far failed to hit the heights of last year, missing the cut in 13 tournaments in 2014.

OneAsia Tour Order of Merit leader Kim Seung-hyuk also has the ability to a mount a challenge for the victory, however, all of the focus is sure to be on Na as he bids to make it a successful return to his homeland.

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