Kevin Na plays with ailing father in mind

Kevin Na's first trip to Riviera Country Club came with his father back in 1995, when Na was a young golf enthusiast keen to get a glimpse of players like Corey Pavin and Fred Couples.

On Sunday, the 27-year-old Na will play in the final group at the Northern Trust Open with Couples and tournament leader Aaron Baddeley, fighting for a first US PGA Tour title that he hopes could provide a morale boost for his ailing father, Yong, in South Korea.

"My dad was diagnosed with leukemia at the end of the year last year when we were in Korea," Na said. "He stayed there and met a great doctor who's really helping him out.

"After this week, my mother is going back to look out for him. I would really like to send that trophy over to him."

Na said his father taught him the game and caddied for him in an Asian Tour victory in 2002.

He said he is sure his father will be watching his progress on Sunday, regardless of the time difference.

"Trust me, he's on the computer watching," Na said.

Na, who grew up in Southern California after his family moved here when he was a child, said he couldn't imagine a better place than Riviera to notch a first US victory.

"To win it where you first came to watch a tour event at the area where you grew up, it would be very special," he said.