[2022 Newstart⑤] ‘Dream Tour Prize Money Leader’ Yoon Ina "Aiming for Victory and Rookie of the Year"

Jump Tour to Dream Tour Prize Money King 'Secures Seed', Outstanding Long Hitting Power and Balanced Skills as Strengths "First Goal is to Maintain Seed"

KLPGA Dream (2nd division) Tour money leader Yoon Ina will challenge for the 2022 regular tour Rookie of the Year.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Winning the championship and Rookie of the Year."

Yoo In-na (19, HiteJinro) has a bold ambition. Last year, she qualified as the prize money queen of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Dream (2nd tier) Tour and directly advanced to the regular tour this year. She is regarded as a "special prospect following Kim Hyo-joo (27), Jeon In-ji (28), Ko Jin-young (27), Lee Jeong-eun 6 (26), and Choi Hye-jin (23)." "My first goal is to maintain my tour card," she said, "and then I will challenge for a regular tour victory and Rookie of the Year," showing her determined resolve.

Yoo In-na is a promising player who started golf in the 5th grade of elementary school and has been a national team member. She won the 2017 Ilsong Cup Korean Junior Championship and the 2019 Korean Women's Amateur Championship. After topping the Jump (3rd tier) Tour qualifying in May last year, she entered the Dream Tour by achieving 1 win, 2 runner-ups, and 1 third place in four tournaments. Joining the Dream Tour belatedly in July, she recorded 2 wins and eight top-10 finishes, leading the prize money rankings with 91.97 million won.

In June last year, Yoo In-na made "big news" in the 1st round of the Grand-Samdae-in Jump Tour 6th event. She scored three eagles, an unprecedented feat. Starting at the 10th hole, she made her first eagle at the 12th hole (513 yards), then added eagles at the 1st hole (542 yards) and the 7th hole (488 yards, both par 5s). This is the first time in KLPGA Tour history that a player has made three eagles in one round. Her main weapon is her long drive, utilizing her tall stature of 170 cm, with an average drive distance of 247.6 yards.

Her aggressive course strategy enables many birdies. She also has well-rounded skills, ranking 6th in greens in regulation (82.44%) and 2nd in average putts per round (29.55). This is why HiteJinro decided to sponsor her early on. In September last year, she participated as a recommended player in the Park Se-ri Invitational and finished 9th. "I still have many shortcomings to compete with top-level players," she said humbly, "I will learn step by step and prepare for my first season."

After finishing the Dream Tour, she practiced daily at the driving range even in cold weather, and is currently training in San Diego, California, USA. She has been working with coach Oh Se-uk, a former national team reserve coach, for five years. They are focusing on wedge shots within 100 meters, greenside approaches, and green play. "I will prepare diligently to become a more perfect player," she said, "and I ask for your many cheers."

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