Kim Hyoju's 'Revival Shot'... "Winning Momentum Comes from Driving Distance~"

Last Winter's Intense Physical Training in Thailand: "Gained Muscle and Increased Distance by 15m"

Kim Hyo-joo is teeing off on the 3rd hole on the final day of the Lotte Cantata Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Jeju=Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyunjun] "I gained 4 to 5 kg in weight."

Kim Hyoju (25, Lotte) said right after winning the KLPGA Tour Lotte Cantata Women's Open (total prize money 600 million KRW) held on the 7th at Lotte Skyhill Golf Club Sky and Ocean Courses (par 72) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, "I really benefited from the harsh physical training last winter that increased my driving distance." This is her 11th career win, including one as an amateur, after 3 years and 6 months since the Hyundai China Women's Open in December 2016.

During her amateur days in 2012, Kim Hyoju caused a sensation by consecutively collecting trophies on professional stages in Korea (Lotte Mart Women's Open), Japan (Suntory), and Taiwan (Swinging Skirts). She turned professional in October and set a record for the shortest time to win (2 months and 11 days) by winning the Hyundai China Women's Open in December. In 2014, she led with 5 wins and became the KLPGA Tour's 'quadruple crown' winner, securing the most wins, prize money queen, MVP, and lowest scoring average awards.

It is interesting that Kim Hyoju secured a 'direct ticket to the LPGA Tour' by winning the Evian Championship on the US LPGA Tour in September. She immediately moved to the US in 2015 and achieved a total of 3 wins, including the Founders Cup in March and the Bahamas Classic in January 2016. It is surprising that she then fell into a slump. Her iron shots faltered, and her main weapon, putting, was unreliable. She quickly started physical training and comforted herself with three runner-up finishes in the 2019 season.

Last winter, she flew to Thailand again and this time increased her body mass to increase her driving distance. Kim Hyoju said, "As I became more muscular, it seems like the ball flies about 15 meters farther," and expressed confidence, saying, "It is gratifying that players similar to me before are now behind me," and "Even when the pin positions are difficult, attacking the course has become easier." She will challenge for her second consecutive win at the S-Oil Championship (total prize money 700 million KRW) continuing on the 12th at Elysian Golf Club (par 72) in Jeju City, Jeju Island.

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