[2020 New Start⑥] 'Jeju Golfer' Hyun Se-rin "Confident in the Wind"

Dream Tour Prize Money Ranking 13th, Promising Player Entering Division 1 with Strong Competitiveness "Challenging for 1 Win and Rookie of the Year"

'Jeju golfer' Hyun Se-rin challenges for her first year KLPGA Tour 'win' and 'Rookie of the Year'.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I have no desire to become the next someone else."

Hyun Se-rin (19, Daebang Construction), a rookie on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, has a bold ambition. She is a promising player who entered the first division tour this year after finishing 13th in the prize money rankings with four top 10 finishes, including a win at the 16th Dream (2nd division) Tour event last year. In a phone interview with Asia Economy Newspaper on the 4th, she said, "I don't want to resemble anyone while playing professionally," and expressed her determination, "I will play golf with my own style, leading with youthful passion."

Originally from Jeju, she has a strong competitive spirit. She played tennis until the 4th grade at Jeju Donghong Elementary School. After losing to her younger brother in a practice match, she switched to golf in the 5th grade. She laughed, saying, "I am the type who can't stand losing," and added, "I have a strong competitive spirit." She won the Jeonnam Governor's Cup in her 3rd year at Seogwipo Jungang Girls' Middle School and served as a national team reserve player for two years starting in 2017. Her final amateur year in 2018 was filled with the spotlight.

She participated as an amateur in the Ladies European Tour (LET) Estrella Damm Ladies Open and the Thailand Championship, finishing as runner-up in both. In the same year, she tied for first place in stroke play at the US Women's Amateur Championship and won two titles in the 99th National Sports Festival in the women's general individual and team events. Hyun Se-rin, who said she "competed in various tournaments to gain experience," evaluated, "It was a year I will never forget, achieving results beyond expectations."

Starting from the KLPGA Jump (3rd division) Tour last year, she progressed through the Dream Tour and immediately secured a regular tour card. Her strength lies in her mental toughness. "Last year, I received mental training from a professional for the first time," she emphasized, "I think I have developed the ability to win even in extreme situations." She left for Perth, Australia on January 11 and trained there until the 25th of last month. In the early part of the training camp, she focused on correcting her shots, which had been problematic since mid-last year.

In the latter part of the training camp, she concentrated on short game skills such as putting and approach shots. "At the Hyosung Championship held in Vietnam last December, my shots were unstable, and I was cut off," she said, expressing confidence, "Now, I have returned to my former form." She entered the Department of Physical Education at Korea National Sport University as a freshman this year. The start of the semester was delayed due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). "I hope COVID-19 settles down quickly," she said.

Sweating it out in her hometown Jeju, she is eagerly awaiting the 2020 season domestic opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open, held on April 9 at Lotte Skyhill Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju. "Lotte Skyhill is where I have been training since I was young," she said, adding, "I feel a little nervous but also excited." Hyun Se-rin, confident in the Jeju winds, smiled and said, "I want to win the rookie of the year award, which is both my first and last chance," and "I hope to win during my rookie season."

Hyun Se-rin (right) receiving a celebratory water shower immediately after winning the 16th round of the Dream Tour last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.