Las Vegas’ Danielle Kang seeks 2nd major title at Inspiration

Danielle Kang, a Las Vegas resident and two-time LPGA Tour champion, is finally healthy after several months of struggle.

She finished tied for second last week at the Kia Classic and has momentum entering the Ana Inspiration, the season’s first major, which begins Thursday at the Dinah Shore course in Rancho Mirage, California.

Other Las Vegas pros playing are Allison Lee, Jenny Shin and Inbee Park, a seven-time major champion from Bishop Gorman High.

“I wasn’t doing very well healthwise the last few months, and there was a lot going on,” said Kang, who didn’t want to divulge specifics about her medical issues that resulted in three hospital visits. “I consider the Kia my first tournament of the year that I was physically and mentally well. I felt fantastic. I now know there are things I can do to take care of myself.”

Kang, winner of the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA championship — her first major title — said she thinks her recent success is the result of good health and a relatively new partnership with famed swing coach Butch Harmon, a Henderson resident.

“I love that man and think he is a brilliant guy on and off the course,” Kang said. “I call him a wizard, because even though you don’t know something is working, it is.

“I trust him with my game, and he believes in me. When he believes, he’s 100,000 percent behind you. When he says you can do it, it gives you the confidence to know you can do it.”

Kang’s spirits also have been buoyed by Maverick McNealy, a fellow professional golfer and Las Vegas resident whom she is dating.

The two are competitive, and Kang isn’t afraid to boast a little, as she did last weekend when she made more birdies and finished better than McNealy to win a dinner. Kang made 20 birdies and an eagle at the Kia Classic to win the bet. McNealy managed six birdies and finished tied for 52nd at the Web.com Tour’s Savannah Golf Championship.

Beginning this week, Kang’s birdies will do more than earn her a meal. She is partnering with UNICEF during 11 tournaments, and fans can pledge to the “Danielle Kang Birdies to Build Better Futures” campaign.

Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @LVGolfInsider.