‘Autumn Queen’ Kim Suji: “I Was Hopeful Because the Cool Breeze Blew”

3-Stroke Victory at Major Hanwha Classic
All 5 KLPGA Tour Wins Achieved in September-October
Focus on Winning Tournaments Historically “Aiming for Prize Money King”

"I was looking forward to it because a cool breeze was blowing."

Kim Suji's nickname is the "Autumn Queen." She particularly performed well when the weather was cool. She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2017 and emerged like a comet by winning two titles, including the major Hite Jinro Championship in 2021. Up until last year, she had secured four wins, all achieved in September and October. In 2022, she placed in the top 10 in all eight tournaments held in September and October, including back-to-back wins, sweeping both the Player of the Year and lowest scoring average titles.

This year, Kim Suji did not meet expectations during the hot weather. Up to the Doosan Construction We’ve Championship, which ended on the 13th, she entered the top 10 five times in 15 tournaments but was only 27th in the prize money rankings. Her performance remained strong enough to rank 4th in scoring average, but she failed to cross the threshold to victory at critical moments. As the heatwave gradually subsided this year, Kim Suji began to regain strength. Finally, she lifted a major championship trophy in Gangwon Province.

Kim Su-ji is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning the major tournament Hanwha Classic.
[Photo by KLPGA]

On the 27th, at the Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,777 yards), Kim Suji finished the fourth round of the KLPGA Tour’s third major of the season, the Hanwha Classic (total prize money 1.7 billion KRW), with a 5-under-par round to secure a 3-stroke victory (13-under-par 275). This was her fifth career win, her first in 10 months since the Hana Financial Championship last October, with a winner’s prize of 306 million KRW. It was also her second major title, following the Hite Jinro Championship. She is now 6th in the prize money rankings (554.86 million KRW).

Starting as a co-leader two strokes behind, Kim Suji collected six birdies and one bogey. Although she began shakily with a bogey on the 4th hole (par 5), she changed the momentum with "stepping stone birdies" on the 5th and 7th holes. In the back nine, she pulled away from her competitors by making four consecutive birdies from holes 10 to 13, and sealed her victory by birdying the final 18th hole (par 5).

Kim Suji said, "It wasn’t a bad performance, but my goal was to win once in the first half of the year, which I couldn’t achieve. My shot feel deteriorated, and my rhythm was off." She choked up, adding, "I went through a tough time, so I’m happy to win such a big tournament." She credited practice as the driving force behind overcoming difficult times. "Even during training camps, I practiced a lot, but when results didn’t meet expectations and my shot feel declined, I practiced even more," she revealed.

When asked about her particular strength in autumn, Kim Suji said, "I only recently realized that Cheoseo (the solar term marking the end of summer) had passed. During practice rounds, a cool breeze was blowing, which gave me hope," adding with a bright smile, "I definitely feel stronger in autumn. For me, things really start after Cheoseo passes." Having broken the ice with this win, Kim Suji is gearing up for a strong finish in the second half of the season. She emphasized, "All five tournaments I want to win include the four I won in the past two years and the one hosted by my sponsor, Dongbu Construction."

Kim Suji will attempt back-to-back wins starting with the KG Ladies Open, which opens on September 1. She won her first career title at this event in 2021 and narrowly missed a consecutive win last year after a playoff. She smiled and said, "Actually, I practiced frequently on the course where the KG Ladies Open is held this year. I’ve been looking forward to this tournament."

Kim Su-ji is giving an interview after being crowned the 'Major Queen' at the Hanwha Classic.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Kim Suji has set a new goal: to become the leading money winner. She finished second in the prize money rankings last year. She said, "Due to a slump in the first half, I didn’t have the luxury to aim for individual titles, but now I will go after the money title." Last month, she tied for 9th place at the Amundi Evian Championship, a major on the U.S. LPGA Tour. She said, "It was a great confidence booster," but added, "There are so many good players, and I felt the wall. If I get the chance, I want to go, but I need to consider the circumstances," showing a cautious attitude toward overseas competition.

Last year’s LPGA Rookie of the Year, Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), who participated as a "special invitee," displayed perfect play with eight birdies and no bogeys to rise to a tie for 2nd place (10-under-par 278). Lee Ye-won, the current money leader, joined this group by shooting 5-under. Jeon Ye-seong finished 4th (9-under-par 279), Lee Min-young 6th (7-under-par 281), and Park Min-ji tied for 8th (5-under-par 283). Overseas players Kim A-rim, Ji Eun-hee, and rookie Bang Shin-sil finished tied for 15th (2-under-par 286) to close the tournament.

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