'PGA Success Card' Kim Juhyung: "Wearing the Taegeuk Mark is My Dream"

Kim Juhyung's Aspiration as Asian Games and Olympic Medalist
Perfectly Fluent English, Ready 'Big Leaguer', Hiring Speeseu Swing Coach McCormick
"I Want to Be a Recognized Golfer Like Nicklaus, Woods, and McIlroy"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] “I really want to wear the Taegeuk mark.”

In an interview with Asia Economy, Kim Juhyung expressed his aspiration, saying, "I want to wear the Taegeuk mark and play for South Korea." Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@asiae.co.kr

This is the wish of Kim Joo-hyung (20), a ‘PGA star player’. In an interview with Asia Economy, Kim Joo-hyung said, "I never became a national representative because I went abroad when I was young," and emphasized, "I want to wear the Taegeuk mark and roam the field." He added, "Representing the country is attractive," and stressed, "I also want to participate in the Asian Games and the Olympics."

◆ "I’m excited because my results come out as much as I work hard" = Kim Joo-hyung speaks English perfectly. Right after winning the PGA Tour Wyndham Championship and the Shriners Children’s Open, he showed off his fluent English skills in interviews with local broadcasters. He is close to native-level, even joking in English. Being a ‘golf nomad’ traveling around the world since childhood has been a huge advantage. Kim was born in Seoul and boarded a plane at 14 months old. He moved around China, Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand. 90% of his friends are foreigners.

He started golf at age five in Melbourne, Australia. He learned golf from his father, a former teaching pro. Of course, it was a hobby at first. Kim recalled, "I seriously started golf at age twelve," and "I studied golf in the Philippines, and it was fun." "I could see my skills improving as I played golf. I was excited because my results came out as much as I worked hard. Golf helped me relieve stress."

Kim Joo-hyung is roaring after making an eagle at the Presidents Cup last September. Kim Joo-hyung cited the Presidents Cup as the most impressive tournament.

◆ ‘Early Adopter’ = Until signing with CJ Group in 2019, Kim Joo-hyung had never received professional fitting. He only had amateur-level fittings. Kim said, "It was amazing to get fitted professionally," and "Golf became more interesting after using clubs and balls that fit my body." Kim uses Titleist clubs. There are no hybrids in his bag. Instead, he carries 2- and 3-irons. He is confident in his irons that much.

He has no resistance to new products. He uses the latest model Titleist TSR3 9-degree driver. Kim explained, "I tested a lot," and "I liked the shape of the new head," adding, "I chose it because it has good distance and accuracy." For wedges, he switched from three (SM9 46°, 52°, 60°) to two (53° and 59°). "Par 3 holes are getting longer," he said, "so I needed longer clubs and reduced one wedge."

Kim Joo-hyung has hired Cameron McCormick (left), the coach who developed Jordan Spieth, as his new swing coach. Photo by Titleist

◆ "Maintain what I’m good at and fill in the lacking parts" = He described himself as a "constantly striving type." If there is a weak point, he sweats until he achieves satisfactory results. Domestically, Coach Lee Si-woo is his supporter. Lee is a golf instructor who has coached Ko Jin-young (27), Lee Bo-mi (34), and Park Hyun-kyung (22).

He recently said his weight has dropped significantly while playing on tour. "I used to maintain about 102 kg, but it dropped to 95 kg while playing on tour," he said with a smile.

Kim recently hired a new swing coach to become a more perfect player. This is preparation for full-fledged life in the U.S. He brought in Cameron McCormick, the coach of Jordan Spieth (U.S.) and Yoo So-yeon (32). Kim said, "There is no guarantee I will do well next season," and added, "I have to maintain what I’m good at and fill in the lacking parts," emphasizing, "I have to keep improving."

Kim Joo-hyung (right) and Rory McIlroy are smiling brightly as they play together at the CJ Cup.

◆ "Like Nicklaus, Woods, McIlroy, and Son Heung-min..." = After the Presidents Cup, Kim Joo-hyung’s value soared. He became a star invited to participate in the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament of the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), which opens on the 10th. Last month at the PGA Tour’s The CJ Cup, he played alongside world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). McIlroy said, "I actually didn’t succeed at a young age like Kim Joo-hyung," and "He has been the most impressive player in golf in recent months."

Kim said, "I’m grateful for such an evaluation," and "It motivated me to work harder." His role models are Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods (both U.S.), Rory McIlroy, and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan). Kim expressed his ambition, saying, "I want to win and succeed like the legends of golf," and "I want to be remembered as ‘what kind of player Kim Joo-hyung was’," adding, "I want to be a cool player like Son Heung-min (Tottenham) in soccer."

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