'Yongpyeong Open Champ' Go Ji-woo "World Ranking No.1 Is the Ultimate Goal"

Makkol and Mona's Comeback Show at Yongpyong Open: '43 Battles, 44 Victories'
Martial Arts Black Belt, Sister Golfers, Nicknamed Birdie Bombers
"Dreaming of Winning a Major Tournament and Entering the US Stage"

Go Ji-woo, in her second year on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, is a player with many interesting stories. First, she is a martial arts black belt holder, holding 2nd dan ranks in both Hapkido and Karate. She is also well-known as a ‘sister golfer,’ competing on the regular tour alongside her younger sister Go Ji-won.

Go Ji-woo became the protagonist of a comeback drama. On the final third round of the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open (total prize money 800 million KRW), held on the 2nd at Birch Hill Country Club in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,435 yards), she shot 7 under par to secure a 3-stroke victory (14 under par, 202 strokes). This was her first win in her 44th KLPGA Tour event. The winner’s prize was 144 million KRW.

Go Ji-woo is taking a commemorative photo immediately after winning her first career victory at the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Go Ji-woo exclaimed, "I am so happy to achieve my first victory like this," adding, "I will work even harder from now on." She started the final day in 6th place, 4 strokes behind the leader. Letting go of pressure turned out to be an advantage. She explained, "Before starting, I thought, ‘Looking at today’s pin positions, it will be hard to make birdies.’ So I gave up greed and played it safe, which led to good birdies and eventually the win."

Go Ji-woo is 165 cm tall. Although not physically large, she ranks 8th in average driving distance (252.02 yards). This is thanks to training in Hapkido and Karate at her father’s dojo since elementary school. She confidently said, "I am naturally strong. Since I was young, I have never lost an arm wrestling match against boys." Her nickname is ‘Birdie Bomber.’ Last year, with aggressive play, she ranked 1st in total birdies (336) and 2nd in average birdies per hole (3.77). This year, she has improved her course strategy and taken her game to the next level.

Go Ji-woo is a ‘practice fanatic.’ She always practices late even after tournament rounds. She smiled and said, "I hit nearly 100 balls thinking about what didn’t go well. Then I practice putting before heading home." After becoming the best in Korea, she has ambitions to advance to the U.S. stage. She said, "I want to win next at the tournament in my hometown, Jeju Island. I want to win more, including major championships," and emphasized, "My dream is to someday join the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and become world number one."

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