2022 Domestic Pro Golf "Goodbye, Who Is the Welcome Star?"

Yoo Hyun-joo and Jo Jeong-min 'Seed Match Elimination', Seo Hyung-seok and Lee Chang-woo 'Military Enlistment', Jang Eun-soo and Ma Da-som 'Top Prize Comeback', Hwang Jung-gon and Lee Sang-hee 'Reservists'

Yoo Hyun-joo withdrew from the third round of the KLPGA Tour qualifying final due to a neck injury.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a time of farewell and welcome.

The domestic golf scene has also undergone changes with the arrival of 2022. Some golfers are temporarily leaving the field, while others are rejoining the regular tour after a long time. It is a New Year reshuffle. First, there are those who unfortunately failed to secure their tour cards. ‘Field model’ Yoo Hyun-joo (28) is a representative case. In November last year, during the third round of the final stage of the 2022 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour regular season qualifying held at Muan Golf Course in Jeonnam, she withdrew due to neck pain.

Yoo Hyun-joo is the most popular Korean female player among fans. She ranked 35th in the 2019 qualifying and played on the 2020 KLPGA Tour but only participated in seven events. Last year, she mainly competed on the Dream (2nd division) Tour. Although she can enter the 1st division tour this year as a recommended player, she is limited to four appearances. ‘Five-time champion’ Cho Jung-min (28, Golden Blue) and Lee Hyo-rin (25, ShinHyup) also failed to secure their tour cards.

Seo Hyung-seok temporarily leaves the Korean Tour to fulfill his military service.

Next are players who have temporarily put down their clubs for military service. Seo Hyung-seok (25, Shinhan Financial Group), who has won twice on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, is enlisting for his mandatory military service. He made headlines when he passed the Qualifying (Q) School at just 17 years old in 2014. Lee Chang-woo (29, Srixon), who has two career wins including one as an amateur, and Park Jung-hwan (29, Cocoon), famous as a ‘mother-son golfer’, are also entering military service.

Jang Eun-su re-entered the first division stage by ranking 3rd in prize money on the KLPGA Dream Tour.

On the other hand, there are stars making a spectacular comeback. Jang Eun-soo (24, Aniche) is determined to make a fresh start this year. She was a national team member in 2014 and the 2017 KLPGA Tour Rookie of the Year. After a slump in 2020, she struggled on the Dream Tour last year but succeeded in rejoining the first division after two years by finishing third in prize money. Ma Da-som (23, Q Capital Partners), Cho Eun-hye (24, Mico-MC Square), and Hwang Ye-na (29) also returned to the 1st division tour by finishing within the top 20 in Dream Tour prize money.

Hwang Jung-gon returns to the field after completing his military service.

Many players have completed their military service as well. Hwang Jung-gon (30) was discharged in November last year. He is a strong player with two wins on the Korean Tour and four wins on the Japan Tour. He said, "I am happy to have completed my military service in good health" and "I am looking forward to this year." Lee Sang-hee (30, Hoban Construction), a four-time Korean Tour champion, is also working hard after his discharge. Former soldiers returning this season include Park Joon-seop (30), holder of the Korean Tour’s record for the lowest 18-hole score (60), Kim Tae-woo (29), and Jang Tae-hyung (24).

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