[2020 New Start⑫] 'Pearl in the Mud' No Seung-hee "Rookie Storm GO"

Dream Tour: 20 Finals Appearances in 21 Tournaments, Secured 3rd Prize Money Seed "This Year's Goal: 1 Win, Rookie of the Year"

Rookie No Seung-hee expressed her confident ambition to achieve "1 win and Rookie of the Year" on this year's KLPGA Tour. Photo by Crowning

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'A pearl in the mud.'

This is a phrase used to describe rookie No Seung-hee (19, Yojin Construction) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. She entered the first-tier tour last year by ranking 3rd in prize money (83.04 million KRW) on the Dream (2nd-tier) Tour. Although not well known to golf fans, she is regarded as a hidden talent. In a phone interview with Asia Economy Newspaper on the 23rd, No Seung-hee said, "I heard the season starts in mid-May," and expressed her bold ambition, "I will achieve consistent results and create a rookie sensation."

No Seung-hee started playing golf in the 2nd grade at Dongju Elementary School in Cheongju. It was because of her father, No Ho-won’s 'romance.' She said, "My dad’s dream is to play rounds with the family," and "I first held a golf club with my mother when I was nine." She won at the middle and high school federation as a 3rd-year student at Cheonan Middle School but has no experience as a national team member. She is a golfer who came into the spotlight late. After joining through the KLPGA provisional membership selection in April last year, she played the first four tournaments of the Jump Tour and was promoted to full membership.

Starting with 8th place in the first Jump Tour event, followed by 7th, 9th, and 2nd places, she built a strong foundation. From May, she moved to the Dream Tour stage, and in September, at the 12th tournament, the KBC 2nd event, she lifted the winner’s trophy. She hit the jackpot with a prize of 36 million KRW. It was a valuable victory achieved under adverse conditions, with the final round suspended for about three hours due to worsening weather caused by Typhoon 'Lingling.' She recalled, "I didn’t expect to win so quickly," and said, "I was simply stunned."

Above all, consistency is her strength. Out of 21 tournaments in the Jump Tour and Dream Tour last year, she missed the cut only once. She also has a competitive spirit, having finished 2nd in the Dream Tour King of Kings tournament in October. From January 2nd, she underwent two months of training in the Philippines, focusing on increasing driving distance. Her average drive shot distance is 231.25 yards. She explained, "The first-tier tour courses are longer and more challenging," and "I concentrated on practicing my long game."

In March, she prepared for the season in her hometown Cheongju, and this month, she is sweating it out at the Elite Academy of Golfzon Joymaru in Daejeon. She has received praise for her short game, including putting. In December last year, she performed well by tying for 30th place at the 2020 season opener, the Hyosung Championship. No Seung-hee said, "Although delayed by COVID-19, I’m glad the KLPGA Championship will be held in mid-May," and added, "I will compete with the spirit of a rookie," stating her goals for the year are "one win and Rookie of the Year."

No Seung-hee is posing right after winning the Dream Tour KBC 2nd round last year. Photo by KLPGA

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