SEOUL, April 25, 2012 (AFP) - The 40-year-old Korean, who famously went head-to-head with Tiger Woods and came out on top in the 2009 US PGA Championship at Hazeltine, would love to win the fifth edition of the tournament at Blackstone Golf Club, just outside his home city of Seoul, and pick up the first prize of $467,000.
"I desperately want to win this tournament," he said. "I believe that if a Korean player wins or gets good results at this Ballantine's Championship, it will be a great start to the season, and I know that all the Korean players here this week will give it our best to win."
Last year's tournament was won by Lee Westwood on 12-under par, one shot ahead of Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, however the Englishman has decided not to return to defend his title.
But a quality international contingent, headed by world number 12 Adam Scott of Australia, British Open champion Darren Clarke, fellow Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Jimenez, and 2009 winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, will provide the young Korean players with valuable experience against some of the world's best, Yang said.
"I have always believed that players need to have a lot of experience, and I believe that the Ballantine's Championship will be the tournament that provides a lot of help to the Korean players," Yang, the world number 59, said.
"They will have a chance to play in this very large tournament, and also play with some of the finest golf players out there.
"So I'm sure that this will help in building the foundation to move their careers forward."
A young Korean player hoping to perform well in front of his home crowd this week is Kyung-tae Kim, currently ranked 48 in the world.
Last year, while Yang was missing the cut, Kim led the home challenge and finished joint 10th. He is hoping to go even better in 2012.
"We have not had a Korean winner since Ballantine's has hosted the Championship," he said. "But I believe we have the confidence to win. Of course there is Bae Sang-moon but there are also very talented young players out there.
"This week I think we can look forward to a very talented Korean player winning the tournament."
Flamboyant Englishman Poulter is known as much for his dress sense as his golf but he comes into the tournament on the back the US Masters where he placed seventh, one shot ahead of Scott, and a closing round of 66 on Sunday in the China Open.
"On Sunday I made nine birdies, which was nice, and hopefully I can carry that form and that putting into this week, which will make it a great week," said Poulter.
This is Blackstone's second staging of the tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, and there have been some changes to the course from 2011.
There are new tees on the par-four 17th -- making the hole 40 yards longer at 420 yards -- and the fourth, which is spectacular with its panoramic views and dramatic drop from the tee to fairway.
Tournament Director David Williams said: "On the fourth hole we now have the option of moving the tee forward and making it driveable. It's a stunning hole and makes for very exciting golf.
"The whole course will provide a tough challenge for the field. It's long, but it's not all about power and long hitting; it's a thinking player's course."
Other previous winners of the Ballantine's Championship, which was staged on Jeju Island for its first three years were Graeme McDowell (2008) and Marcus Fraser (2010).