Rookie Jang Heemin's Star Emerges "Wins in Just 2 Tournaments"..."Ultimate Goal is to Join the PGA Tour"

Major Victory by 4 Strokes at Newly Established Woori Financial Championship, Unique UK Study Abroad Background, 'PGA Champ' Im Sung-jae's Support Revealed

Rookie Jang Heemin is praying at the 18th hole on the final day of the Woori Financial Championship. Photo by KPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] A new star has emerged.

Rookie Jang Hee-min (20, Jivent) is the protagonist. On the 15th, at the Ferrum Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72), he achieved a commanding 4-stroke victory (5-under 283) at the newly established Korean Professional Golf (KPGA) Korean Tour Woori Financial Championship (total prize money 1.3 billion KRW). He reached the top in just his second tournament since debuting on the Korean Tour this year. He is the second player to win since Kim Joo-hyung (20, CJ Logistics) at the 2020 KPGA Gunsan CC Open, with a winner's prize of 260 million KRW.

Jang Hee-min is a rookie who joined the Korean Tour this year. He secured a regular tour card by finishing tied for 10th at the Qualifying Tournament (QT). He studied golf in the UK from middle school 2nd grade to high school 3rd grade and has experience playing on the European third-tier tour. Jang Hee-min, who said "I still can't believe I won," cheered, "Focusing only on what I had to do led to the victory," and "I played safely in the back nine." Below is a Q&A with Jang Hee-min.

- Congratulations on your first win.

▲ I think I will realize that I won only tomorrow. I will work even harder going forward.

- You are a rookie. Were you nervous on the final day?

▲ I started to get nervous after the third round ended. Today, I focused only on what I had to do. That helped a lot in winning.

- What are your strengths?

▲ Nothing comes to mind exactly. I just put in more effort than other players.

- What was your strategy for the final round?

▲ Because the wind was strong and the pin positions were difficult, I consulted with my caddie. I played safely in the back nine.

- You played with Im Sung-jae during practice rounds.

▲ I played with Im Sung-jae and Hwang Jung-gon. I learned a lot while playing alongside them.

- After finishing the third round as the leader, you talked with Im Sung-jae?

▲ Sung-jae hyung joked, "What's going on?" so I laughed and said, "I don't know." He advised me, "Stay calm tomorrow. Build momentum from the start."

- How have you lived as a golf player?

▲ I started golf in 3rd grade of elementary school at my father's suggestion. I became a national team reserve in 2nd grade of middle school. That year, I went to study abroad in the UK. From 2017 to 2019, I played on the European third-tier tour. After not performing well in Europe, I returned to Korea.

- Did playing in Europe help you?

▲ Actually, I thought a lot about how to solve problems when my play got tangled rather than the wind. Maybe that's why I don't get too upset even in tough situations. This is what I gained from Europe.

- What are your future goals?

▲ I have maintained my tour card, which was my goal this year. I want to challenge overseas tours as well. My ultimate dream is to join the PGA Tour.

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