'Im Jin-hee Wrote History'... 'From Unknown to Winning the Most Games'

SK Shielders and SK Telecom Open Season 4th Win
2nd in Prize Money, 3rd in Scoring Average, Best Season
"Challenging December LPGA Tour Qualifying Series"

Im Jin-hee was almost unknown until last year. She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2018, but her results were unimpressive. Every year, she fell outside the top 60 in the prize money rankings and had to go through the qualifying tournament three times. Although she won her first title at the BC Card·Korea Economic Daily Ladies Cup in June 2021, no one really noticed her.

Im Jin-hee gritted her teeth. Even after finishing rounds, she trained until it got dark. She especially invested a lot of time in putting practice. Im said, "I always review my putting after rounds. It’s a routine I never skip."

Im Jin-hee is cheering after securing victory at the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Known as the player who practices the most on tour, Im Jin-hee finally blossomed late. On the 12th, at the final round of the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW), the last tournament of the 2023 KLPGA Tour season held at La Vie Belle Country Club Old Course (par 72, 6,805 yards) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, she shot 5 under par in the final round to secure a commanding 5-stroke victory (16 under par 200). This was her fourth win of the season and sixth career win, following the SangSangin·Korea Economic TV Open on the 22nd of last month, with a winner’s prize of 200 million KRW.

Im Jin-hee edged out two players with three wins this season, Lee Ye-won and Park Ji-young, to secure the most wins title. She enjoyed her best season since debut, ranking second in prize money (1,145,835,048 KRW), second in the Player of the Year points (628 points), and third in scoring average (70.9895 strokes). She exclaimed, “My season goals were to surpass 1 billion KRW in prize money and win at least twice. I give myself 100 points this year. I achieved things this year that I never even dreamed of as a rookie. Nothing is impossible.”

Ranked 52nd in the world, Im Jin-hee has chosen to take a risk for bigger dreams. She will participate in the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series in December. She confidently stated, “I want to challenge the U.S. stage before it’s too late. I want to win and become world number one.”

Im Jin-hee is smiling while holding the trophy right after winning the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Im Jin-hee is proactive about investment. She has three coaches: one who watches her swing posture, a short game and course management specialist, and a coach who guides her mindset, swing rhythm, and tempo. Im said, “I’ve focused so much on putting that my driving distance has decreased a bit, but this winter I plan to regain my distance. I’ve heard that it’s physically very demanding in the U.S., so I will also do more physical training,” outlining her future plans.

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