South Korea's Park tempers expectations ahead of LPGA Tour return

South Korea's Park tempers expectations ahead of LPGA Tour return

FILE PHOTO: Golf - Women’s British Open - Woburn Golf Club, Milton Keynes, Britain - August 2, 2019 South Korea's Sung Hyun Park in action during the second round Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Reuters) - Park Sung-hyun returns to the LPGA Tour at this week's ANA Inspiration but after a 10-month absence the world number four says she does not expect to be in contention for the second women's major of the year.

The ANA Inspiration, which begins on Thursday at Mission Hills Country Club in California, will be the 26-year-old South Korean's first LPGA Tour event since the CME Group Tour Championship in November last year.

"I think I'm more nervous than excited to be back," said Park, a two-times major winner. "It's been a while since I've been in a competitive environment.

"I've got to keep that in mind playing while the four rounds this week.

"There aren't that many tournaments this year, but I do hope to win at some point and finish on a high note."

Park said the extended break had allowed her to fully recover from the shoulder injury that had troubled her since late last season.

"I think taking time off has helped. I feel that I'm all recovered now," the former world number one said. "I've only started practicing just a few weeks ago, but I hope to do well."

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)