"Overcoming Without Giving Up Despite Difficulties"... Kim Young-su Sweeps Grand Prize and Prize Money King

Participated in 21 Competitions, Ranked in Top 10 Eight Times Including 2 Wins

Genesis Grand Prize winner Kim Young-su posing in front of the trophies
[Image source=KPGA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] “When times are tough, I heard the saying 'There is no failure in life. Only process and success.' I hope all players overcome difficulties without despair.”

Kim Youngsoo, who swept both the MVP and the money title, shared these remarks at the '2022 Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Genesis Awards Ceremony' held on the 8th at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

It is no exaggeration to say that 2022 was Kim Youngsoo's year. He participated in all 21 tournaments this season, including victories at the ‘Genesis Championship’ and the ‘LG SIGNATURE Players Championship,’ and placed in the top 10 eight times. He claimed not only the MVP and money titles but also the Most Improved Player award selected by the Korean Golf Journalists Association.

As the recipient of the ‘Genesis MVP’ award, Kim Youngsoo received a bonus prize of 100 million KRW and a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake car. Additionally, he secured KPGA Tour membership for the next five years, an entry to the PGA Tour's 'Genesis Scottish Open,' and a one-year DP World Tour membership.

This is a brilliant comeback for Kim Youngsoo, once hailed as a legendary talent during his junior years, known as the ‘Returned Genius.’

In 2007, as a high school senior, Kim Youngsoo made a dazzling name for himself in Korean golf by sweeping major amateur tournaments such as the Songam Cup, Ikseong Cup, and Heojeonggu Cup.

However, from 2011 when he turned professional, he showed disappointing performances that did not meet fans' expectations.

He lingered in the lower ranks on the Korean Tour and failed to achieve notable results on the Japan Professional Golfers' Association (JPGA) Tour. Later, after topping the KPGA 2nd division money list in 2018, he returned to the Korean Tour in 2019 but did not produce remarkable results.

Kim Youngsoo exploded his decade-long dormant talent this season. The highlight was the KPGA Tour Genesis Championship held last October, the highest prize money event on the Korean Tour.

With his victory at the Genesis Championship, he received the largest winner's prize money of 300 million KRW and a Genesis GV80 car. He also earned entries to the PGA Tour's The CJ Cup and next year's PGA Tour Genesis Invitational and Scottish Open.

In November, he won the season finale of the KPGA Tour, the LG SIGNATURE Players Championship.

With this victory, Kim Youngsoo added 1,000 points to his Genesis MVP tally, surpassing Seo Yoseop, who had been in close competition, and secured the Genesis MVP award.

The money title also went to Kim Youngsoo. He earned approximately 789.16 million KRW this season, narrowly edging out the previous leader Kim Mingyu, who had 762 million KRW.

Meanwhile, the 2022 KPGA Genesis Awards Ceremony was the first offline awards event held since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 KPGA Korean Tour season was the largest ever, featuring a total of 21 tournaments and total prize money of 20.3 billion KRW, from the opening event ‘The 17th DB Insurance Promy Open’ to the ‘LG SIGNATURE Players Championship.’

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