‘Korean Male and Female Players Complete Reversal’…“PGA Excitement, LPGA Disappointment”

Korean Male Golf PGA Sensation Leaders... Kim Joo-hyung, Im Sung-jae, Kim Si-woo, Lee Kyung-hoon, Kim Sung-hyun 'On Fire'
Korean Female Golf LPGA 12 Consecutive Tournaments Without Titles... Ko Jin-young and Jeon In-ji Struggling with Injuries

Korean male golf players are making a splash as the main players on the PGA Tour stage. From left to right, Lee Kyung-hoon, Kim Joo-hyung, Kim Si-woo, and Im Sung-jae are seen smiling brightly at last month's Presidents Cup.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Jeonse Reversal’.

This phrase refers to Korean men’s and women’s golf. Male players are making waves on the PGA Tour, creating a buzz. They are now considered top contenders in every tournament. On the other hand, female players are struggling to win on the LPGA Tour. It is rare to see the Taeguk ladies dominating the LPGA Tour. This is the reversed situation of Korean men’s and women’s golf.

Male players are establishing themselves as a new golf powerhouse. Last month, Korea had a record four players participate in the Presidents Cup, a golf competition between the U.S. team and the International team. Kim Joo-hyung (20), Im Sung-jae (24), Kim Si-woo (27), and Lee Kyoung-hoon (31) played key roles for the International team and performed perfectly. Especially, Kim Joo-hyung earned the nickname ‘CEO’ (chief energy officer) for his impressive performance and flashy celebrations.

Kim Joo-hyung won his first career victory at the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour in August as a ‘special member’ and collected another trophy two months later at the Shriners Children’s Open. At 20 years and 3 months old, Kim reached two PGA Tour wins faster than the ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA), who won his second at 20 years and 9 months. This marks the birth of a new star. His world ranking has also jumped to 15th, making him the ‘number 1’ Korean player.

Kim Joo-hyung aims for victory at the PGA Tour Zozo Championship, opening on the 13th at Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan. Riding the momentum of two wins in two months, he looks poised to lift the winner’s trophy in Japan as well. Kim was ranked 2nd in the tournament power rankings released by the PGA Tour.

World No. 20 Im Sung-jae is playing the ace role. He debuted on the PGA Tour in 2019 and has two wins. He is considered a strong favorite for the Zozo Championship, topping the power rankings. Additionally, three-time winner Kim Si-woo, Lee Kyoung-hoon who achieved back-to-back wins at the AT&T Byron Nelson, An Byeong-hoon (31) who returned to the first division tour after a year, and rookie Kim Sung-hyun (24) are all doing their part.

While Korean male players are thriving, Korean female players are struggling. This year, Ko Jin-young, Kim Hyo-joo (both 27), Ji Eun-hee (36), and Jeon In-ji (28) have combined for only four wins. With only four tournaments left, there are concerns about the worst drought in years.

Korean female players have not won an LPGA Tour event in 12 consecutive tournaments since Jeon In-ji’s victory at the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. This is the first time in eight years since the 17 consecutive tournaments without a win from October 2013 to June 2014.

The outlook is not rosy. Ko Jin-young (wrist) and Jeon In-ji (neck and shoulder) are suffering from injury aftereffects. Korean female players will seek to restore their honor at the BMW Ladies Championship, held over four days starting on the 20th at Oak Valley Country Club in Wonju, Gangwon Province. They are putting all their effort into ending the ‘win drought’ on home soil.

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