May 18, 2012  Print Email | Miyazato says she's back in form after swing nightmare
"I'm ready to win"
Posted by Agencies at 06:42 AM GMT on Mar 03, 2009 | SINGAPORE (AFP): Japanese golfer Ai Miyazato says she is back to her best after a demoralizing breakdown of her swing off the tee ruined her game last year.
The 23-year-old superstar returns to Singapore for this week's HSBC Women's Champions with the spring returned to her step and her self-belief restored. "I'm ready to win. I'm feeling good. I had that trouble with my driver last year but my confidence is back. My shots are getting better," said the former prodigy.
Such optimism is in stark contrast to last year when she completely lost her stroke with the driver.
"My tempo is to have a really slow backswing and I kind of lost my rhythm last year," she said.
"So that's why I couldn't hit. I'm more of an instinct player and I'd never had to think about things like that before, so I had no idea last year. I was like 'What's changed?', but I've found it."
Miyazato, who won the first of 15 victories on the Japan LPGA as a high school student in 2003, posted seven top 10 finishes on the US LPGA Tour in 2006 and another six in 2007 before her swing woes marred last season.
She returns to the Tanah Merah Golf Club this week, where her opening round 67 at last year's tournament proved she has the game to compete, bubbling with enthusiasm.
"Oh, I love the course," she said. "Last year it was in such great shape. I think it was the toughest course I've ever played. I can't wait to play again."
With the driving problems ironed out she finished fifth in the LPGA's season-opening SBS Open in Hawaii last month and tied 22nd at last week's Honda LPGA Thailand.
It has given her confidence to start winning again.
"I just need to trust myself more this year because my confidence is totally back," she said.
"And I feel so much happier to be playing my golf."
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