[2022 New Start⑪] 'Seed Qualifier Runner-up' Yu Ji-na "Happy to Enter the Dream Stage"

Rapid Full Membership Promotion, 2nd Place in KLPGA Tour Qualifying, Domestic Training with 3 Practical Rounds Weekly "First Goal is Rookie of the Year"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Finally, she fulfilled her wish.

This is about Yu Ji-na (20, Taekwang Honors), the ‘runner-up in the qualifying tournament’. She proudly secured a 1st division tour card this year by finishing as the runner-up in the KLPGA 2022 season qualifying tournament held last November at Jeonnam Muan Golf Course. Among 395 players competing over 10 days of shot battles including preliminaries and finals, she stood tall as the winner. She smiled, saying, "I didn’t know I would achieve such a good result in the qualifying tournament," and "I’m happy to be able to stand on the big stage I’ve dreamed of."

Yu Ji-na has boasted excellent athletic ability since she was young. She played soccer until early elementary school. Around 4th grade, she started golf at her father’s suggestion and made a name for herself by winning the Jeonnam Governor’s Cup girls’ middle school division in 2017. She was on a winning streak but struggled with driver yips in her second year of high school. She joined as an associate member in April last year, entered the top 10 three times in the Jump (3rd division) tour, and became a full member in August of the same year.

Without going through the Dream (2nd division) tour, she demonstrated outstanding skills in the qualifying ranking tournament and succeeded in entering the 1st division. Yu Ji-na, who said, "I was so happy that it still doesn’t feel real," expressed, "Participating in the qualifying tournament was a major turning point in my golf life," and "I’m excited and nervous to compete with senior players who have excellent skills." She is currently training domestically while focusing on physical conditioning.

She is concentrating on practicing her short game and putting. She also plays rounds more than three times a week to sharpen her senses. Yu Ji-na’s role model is Park Sung-hyun (29). She said, "I want to emulate (Park) Sung-hyun unni’s powerful swing and refreshing playing style." When asked about her most confident club, she explained, "I’m close to an all-around player." As a rookie, her goal for the first year is Rookie of the Year. "It’s a title that goes down in history, so I’m eager to achieve it," she emphasized.

Her second goal is to win a tournament. "If given the chance, I want to achieve my first victory," she said, sharing her ambition to rank within the top 30 in prize money. She wants to be a ‘long-lasting golfer’ who has a long career on tour, not a golfer who shines briefly and disappears. Yu Ji-na said, "Since it’s my first season, every tournament will feel like a precious opportunity," and added, "I will do my best at every moment and ask for lots of support and encouragement."

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