'Winning Probability 27%'... "Again, Dor Minji This Year"

Park Minji's 6 Wins in 22 KLPGA Tour Events Bring Excitement
'2-Win Champ' Kim Suji Emerges as Contender with Player of the Year and Lowest Scoring Average
Yoonina and Ogu Play, Record of 35 Hole-in-Ones Achieved

Park Min-ji dominated the KLPGA Tour by sweeping 6 wins for two consecutive years. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘6 wins in 22 tournaments’.

This is the 2022 season record of Park Min-ji (24), the ‘No. 1 player in Korea’ on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. She swept 6 wins for the second consecutive year, becoming the active player with the most wins on the KLPGA Tour with a total of 16 victories. She was the leading winner and money titleholder for two years in a row. Kim Su-ji (26), a ‘2-win champ,’ emerged as Park Min-ji’s rival by topping the Player of the Year and scoring average rankings, while Lee Ye-won (19) won the Rookie of the Year award. The KLPGA Tour also left a rich record this year, including a total of 35 holes-in-one.

◆ "Again, Dom-inji this year" = It is ‘Park Min-ji’s reign.’ Starting with defending her title at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship in May, she collected trophies at the Celltrion Queens Masters and BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup in June, the KB Financial Star Championship in September, the Hite Jinro Championship in October, and the final SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship in November. She won 2 of the 5 majors. She entered the top 10 eleven times and earned prize money of 1,477,920,000 KRW. Her total career earnings surpassed 5 billion KRW, ranking second after Jang Ha-na (30).

Park Min-ji ranked 4th in all-time wins. The late Ku Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae (34) share 1st place with 20 wins each, and Ko Woo-soon (58) is 3rd with 17 wins. Winning the most tournaments for two consecutive years is a rare feat last achieved by Shin Ji-ae in 2008, 14 years ago. Her world ranking also jumped to a personal best of 12th. Park Min-ji said, "I think my prime has come," and added, "I want to compete on a bigger stage and plan to participate in as many foreign tournaments as possible if I qualify."

Yoo Nina is apologizing for the Ogu play after attending the KLPGA Tour Disciplinary Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

◆ ‘Wrong Ball Play Controversy’ = ‘Super rookie’ Yoon Yi-na (19) became the center of attention for improper conduct. During the DB Group Korea Women’s Open in June, she violated tournament rules. On the 15th hole of the first round, Yoon Yi-na’s tee shot veered right, and she found the ball in the rough and continued play. However, she later realized the ball was not hers but continued the round anyway. About a month after the rule violation, in July, Yoon voluntarily reported the wrong ball play to the Korea Golf Association. She also issued an apology on July 25 and stopped participating in tournaments.

In August, Yoon Yi-na received a three-year suspension from KGA-sanctioned tournaments from the Korea Golf Association, and in September, the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) imposed the same level of disciplinary action. Although Yoon could have requested a reconsideration of the KLPGA’s disciplinary decision, she chose not to and is currently reflecting on her actions. Yoon said, "I apologize for causing concern to my fellow players and everyone due to my mistake," and added, "I am deeply sorry for disappointing many people."

Kim Jae-hee made a hole-in-one at the Mediheal-Korea Daily Championship and received a passenger car worth 120 million won. Photo by KLPGA

◆ Record Number of Holes-in-One = This year saw an unusually high number of holes-in-one, totaling 35. This far exceeded the previous record of 28 set in 2017. Starting with In Ju-yeon (25), who made a hole-in-one at the season-opening Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open in April, 29 players experienced the joy of a hole-in-one. At the Mediheal-Korea Daily Championship in April, five holes-in-one were recorded. Kwon Seo-yeon (21), Yoon Hwa-young (22), Yoo Ji-na (20), and Jung Ji-min (26) each made two holes-in-one.

Yoo Hae-ran (21) was recognized as the most aggressive player, recording six eagles this year. She earned the title of ‘Eagle Queen,’ surpassing Lee So-mi (23) and Ahn Sun-ju (35), who each had five. Yoo Hae-ran also made 336 birdies, tying for first place with rookie Go Ji-woo (20). There were seven ‘wire-to-wire’ wins where the leader held the top spot throughout the tournament. The single-season record is eight, set in 2008. The KLPGA Tour will start the 2023 season next month on the 9th with the Hana Financial Group Singapore Ladies Open.

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