[2022 Newstart②] ‘Top Seed Qualifier’ Son Yebin "Looking Forward to Enjoying Golf"

The Only Korean Female Golfer Sponsored by Nike, Promising Talent with 'Precise Putting' Strength, Lee Jeong-eun 6 Role Model "Conquer Korea, Then Enter the US"

'Top Seed' Son Yebin expressed confidence in creating a rookie sensation in the 2022 KLPGA Tour. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I want to have a successful rookie season."

This is the determined declaration of Son Yebin (19, Nike), the 'top seed qualifier.' She confidently secured her tour card by finishing first in the 2022 KLPGA season qualifying tournament with a score of 17-under-par 271 at Jeonnam Muan Golf Course (par 72) on the 19th of last month. She said, "I am the type who enjoys overcoming tension and creating good situations," adding, "I will prepare hard and make next year my best year."

Son Yebin is a promising player who was recognized for her potential when she was selected for the women's junior national reserve team at just 13 years old in 2015. She advanced to the national reserve team in 2018 and became a national team member the following year. She turned professional last year and played on the Jump (3rd tier) Tour, while simultaneously announcing a sponsorship contract with Nike. Among Korean female golfers, she is the only one sponsored by the global brand Nike, making her part of the same family as 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka (both from the USA).

She was the top amateur at the 2018 S-Oil Championship and the 2019 Korea Women's Open. She boasts a brilliant record including winning the 2018 Accord China Amateur Open, the 2019 KB Financial Group Amateur Championship, and the team event at the 100th National Sports Festival. Although she won the Grand Samdaein 1st round, her debut on the Jump Tour in June last year, she struggled suddenly with driver yips. This year, she finished 48th in prize money on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour.

Fortunately, she showed outstanding skills at the qualifying tournament and secured her tour card. Son Yebin, who said, "I did not get discouraged during the slump and practiced steadily," smiled and said, "I learned to let go of greed and how to come back. I look forward to showing my enjoyable golf next year." She is strong in short game and handles trouble shots well, including rough and bunkers. Especially, her 'stingy putting,' ranked second on average (29.21 strokes) on the Dream Tour this year, is a strong point.

Her role model is Lee Jeong-eun6 (25, Daebang Construction), the 2019 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year. "I want to be like senior Lee Jeong-eun6," she said, "I practiced with her once and felt she is a very persistent and hardworking player." After participating in the BMW Ladies held in Busan last October, she is nurturing her dream of joining the LPGA Tour. "I will learn a lot this year," she said, "and someday I will advance to the American stage."

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