"Prize Money King 2 Consecutive Wins" Park Minji: "I am honored"... "I will inform you if the decision to enter the US is made"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "My vision on the course has widened, and I feel more relaxed."

Park Min-ji (24·photo) has dominated the domestic stage for two consecutive years.

Park Min-ji finished tied for 35th place at the KLPGA Tour S-OIL Championship held on the 6th at Elysian Jeju Country Club in Jeju City, Jeju Island, securing her second consecutive prize money title. Next week's SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship offers a winner's prize of 200 million won. Even if second-place Kim Su-ji (26·1,064,310,000 won) wins, she cannot overturn the 213,610,000 won gap with Park Min-ji (1,277,920,000 won). This early confirmation was made regardless of the final event results.

Following Lee Jeong-eun6 (26) in 2017 and 2018, Park Min-ji is the first in four years to win the KLPGA Tour prize money title two years in a row. Last year, she set the record for the highest prize money in a single season with 1.52 billion won. Over two years, she has accumulated 11 wins and 2.8 billion won in prize money, establishing herself as the strongest player domestically.

- You secured first place in prize money for two consecutive years.

▲ I was about to go home feeling down, but hearing that I had secured the prize money title gave me a strange feeling. It is an honor and a result that brings great happiness, pride, and satisfaction as a player.

- The amount is less compared to last year.

▲ I think I earned enough. There is one tournament left this year, and I am just getting into the rhythm now.

- You narrowly missed the top spot in the Player of the Year award.

▲ I am not even second but third, so if I get greedy about that, I think I would lose myself. Unlike last year, this year I have grown by having a wider vision and more composure on the course.

- You suffered a forehead injury in October.

▲ When I look in the mirror, it’s a small wound, but I think I overreacted too much. Even now, when I see articles calling it a fighting spirit despite injury, I feel embarrassed.

- What areas do you plan to improve?

▲ Short game skills on various types of grass. Also, addressing the decreasing driving distance each year is a task. Motivating myself to do better is also important.

- You postponed your entry into the U.S. tour. When will you go?

▲ First, the application period for the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) School has ended, so I cannot go next year. Everyone is curious, but I will let you know the day it is decided.

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