Major success taking its toll, says golfer Yang

South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun admitted Wednesday that he was starting to feel the strain of being Asia's first ever Major winner.

The 37-year-old became a household name in Asia after holding off Tiger Woods to win at Hazeltine Golf Club in August to become the first player from the continent to win one of golf's four main tournaments.

As a result, the demands on his time have increased significantly and, as he prepares to tee off at this week's Hong Kong Open, Yang is beginning to feel the affects of his new-found fame.

"Since the PGA Championship I've gone through a gruelling schedule," he said.

"It's been about 11 weeks since I won the PGA Championship and this is my ninth event and I've been all across the United States, from New York to San Francisco, and then also on to Korea and then on to Bermuda and back in Shanghai, and now in Hong Kong.

"It's honestly been a very, very tough schedule. I'm enjoying it but my body is not following my heart and my brain. It's taking its toll on me a bit but hopefully I can tolerate and work through it."

Yang has struggled to perform to his usual standards since his US PGA win but he is hoping he can add at least one more positive performance before his season comes to an end -- and a well-earned break.

"I've got about three events left, including this one, and if I can get a win or finish in the Top 10 in one of these events then I'll be really happy," he said.

"For a longer-term remedy, I'd like to stay positive. I'm not trying to force myself. I'd like to increase my stamina as well as all the aspects of my game.

"But overall, I would really like to just take it one step at a time. "Everything has been so rushed and I feel a bit rushed as well, but I just want to sit back a bit, enjoy it and pace myself so that I can go through the whole ordeal for the longer haul."

In recognition of his victory at the US PGA Championship, Yang received another accolade to add to his growing list when he was this week made an honorary member of the Asian Tour.

Having struggled in the past on the Asian Tour, Yang hoped his late development as a golfer would be an example for other players to follow.

"It's a great honour and for the Asian Tour commissioner to come up and hand it to me, it's a reversal of fortunes I guess," he said.