"I am getting back my confidence, but it's not something that happens overnight," Yang said. "It's going to take some time. Today, I was happy with my play overall. I struck the ball well and my putting was solid."

Yang, whose Korean name is Hee-young, does need a shot of confidence. She is winless since picking up her third career win in February in Thailand. She has five other top-10 finishes this season, but none since tying for eighth at the US Women's Open in July.

And this tournament couldn't have come at a better moment for Yang. This is her first appearance on home soil this year.

"It's so great to have my family over here cheering me on," she said. "I bear down that much more so I can play well for my family."

Yang rued poor execution on some of her shots in the opening round, and on the par-three third, she left a long par putt three feet short en route to a bogey.

"I just made some silly mistakes," she said. "I am disappointed with them, but I feel good overall."

Back in action after a three-week layoff, Yang said she feels ready to get back into the winner's circle, but doesn't want to get too far ahead of herself.

"If I tell myself I should do well, then it'd just put extra pressure on my own shoulders," Yang said. "So I just want to stay patient. And if I can play the next three days like I did today, I think my confidence will grow more." (Yonhap)