Kim Seong-hyun and An Na-rin "New Wine in New Wineskins"... "Which Transferred Player Changed Nests?"

‘Konferitour Entry’ Kim Seong-hyun Shinhan Financial Group, ‘LPGA Tour Q-Series Top’ An Na-rin Mediheal, Yoo Hae-ran Joins KTB Financial Group

Kim Seong-hyun

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "New wine in new wineskins."

In the Year of the Black Tiger, Im In-nyeon (壬寅年) 2022, some players have moved their nests. These are golfers who changed sponsors to start the season with a new mindset in a new place. They are determined, saying, "This year, we will definitely dominate the tour." Kim Seong-hyun (24) is the frontrunner. He had been wearing the Webcash Group cap, but from this season, he is supported by Shinhan Financial Group. He said, "I am happy and honored to meet a reliable sponsor," adding, "I will repay with results."

Kim Seong-hyun is a strong player in ‘big matches.’ He won the 2020 Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour major KPGA Championship. At that time, when the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played on the Srixon (2nd tier) Tour and gained more spotlight by going through Monday qualifiers. Last year, he went back to Japan and won the Japan PGA Championship in July, showing a particularly strong performance in high-profile matches.

In November last year, Kim Seong-hyun challenged the PGA Tour’s Korn Ferry (2nd tier) Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) and earned an 8-event ticket for the 2022 season by finishing tied for 39th. He departed for the United States and began local adaptation training. He is scheduled to make his U.S. debut at the Bahamas Classic on the 16th. He aims to achieve good results on the Korn Ferry Tour and enter the regular tour next year. "I want to advance to the PGA Tour as soon as possible," he pledged.

Anna Rin

Ahn Na-rin (26) is challenging for Rookie of the Year with Mediheal. Mediheal is a domestic beauty brand that became the title sponsor of the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour starting in 2018 and hosts the Mediheal Championship. Last month, Ahn Na-rin made history by finishing first in the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series, which was held over two stages and a total of 8 rounds. She joined the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2017 and has won two career titles.

There has also been movement among domestic female players. Yoo Hae-ran (21), who rose from a super rookie to one of the top domestic golfers, transferred from SK Networks to KTB Financial Group. KTB Financial Group is a comprehensive financial group with a 40-year history and a diverse portfolio of domestic and international businesses. Yoo Hae-ran was Rookie of the Year in 2020 and is a skilled player who has swept 4 wins in less than three years. She said, "I will not lose consistency and will always work hard and steadily in tournaments."

Kim Ji-hyun

Kim Ji-hyun (31) ended her relationship with Hanwha Q CELLS, which began in 2016, and joined the newly established Daebo Construction golf team. She is a strong player on the KLPGA Tour with a total of 5 wins. Daebo Construction operates Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and hosts the KLPGA Tour Daebo House Open. Oh Ji-hyun (26), a ‘7-time champion,’ left KB Financial Group, which had sponsored her for 8 years since 2014, and joined Daebang Construction.

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