[New Challenge] Sung Yujin: "I Have to Do Well Like Zodiac Dragon Jia and Nayeon Unnie"

Secured Full LPGA Tour Q-Series Tour Card
Confidence Boosted by Last Year’s Runner-Up at Lotte Open
Hired Lydia Ko’s Winning Assistant, Debut This Month
"No Regrets, Confident but Not Arrogant"

The charm of sports lies in the challenge. It is about not settling in one place but aiming higher. Some athletes leave the country to compete in the United States, Japan, and other parts of Asia. Others step up from amateur to professional stages. This is the new challenge. We listened to the determination of tour players aiming to reach the top in 2024, the Year of the Dragon, Gapjin year.

The start was late, but a magnificent comeback was made. This is the story of Sung Yu-jin. She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2019 but struggled initially. Her peers born in 2000, such as Lim Hee-jeong (5 wins), Jo Ah-yeon, and Park Hyun-kyung (both with 4 wins), collected trophies and thrived. In contrast, Sung Yu-jin recorded her first win in 2022, her fourth year since debut. This year, she began to surpass her peers, being the only one to secure two wins. But this is not the end. She was the first to advance to the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 8th, Sung Yu-jin said with a bright smile, "I don't know how the year passed by, but I think I achieved all the goals I set."

Sung Yoo-jin will challenge the LPGA Tour in the new year. She vowed, "I will play well by receiving the energy of the Dragon-year unnis."

For Sung Yu-jin, participating in the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship last April was a turning point in her life. She earned an invitation after winning the 2022 KLPGA Tour Lotte Open, her first victory in four years since debut. She competed for the championship over four days. There was even talk of her winning as a non-member. Although she lost the title to Grace Kim (Australia) in a playoff, she learned a lot. She recalled, "After attending the Lotte Open, I dreamed of playing on the LPGA Tour. It was so fun, and I played with enjoyment. I felt that I could succeed in the U.S. as well."

Setting the goal of entering the U.S., Sung Yu-jin steadily pursued her dream. In October last year, she boarded a flight to the U.S. mid-season. She passed the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) Stage 2 tied for 4th place and secured a full tour card by finishing tied for 7th in the LPGA Qualifying (Q) Series Final in December. "Whether it's the Korean or U.S. qualifying, the Q Series is tough. Every stroke counts as if your life depends on it. I decided to do my best without regrets in the given situation. I was satisfied to secure the full card I aimed for."

Sung Yu-jin is spending the busiest off-season. After completing the Q Series, she is preparing to enter the LPGA Tour. She has obtained her visa and attended an event donating 10 million won in scholarship to the Yuwon Golf Foundation. She said, "In the U.S., I think I will live in hotels like Haeran Yoo and Hyo-joo Kim. Since there are tournaments every week, I probably won't rent a separate house." She added, "At first, my mother decided to stay with me in the U.S. to help me adapt." She also secured a reliable supporter. Mickey Milburn, who caddied for Lydia Ko, a Korean-New Zealander, and with whom she already worked during QT Stage 2, will carry her caddie bag. Sung Yu-jin said, "I asked because I am friends with In-ji Jeon’s caddie, and she introduced him to me."

Sung Yujin is teeing off at the 2nd hole during the 5th round of the LPGA Q-Series Final.

Sung Yu-jin will depart for the U.S. in the third week of this month. She plans to acclimate locally ahead of the LPGA Drive On Championship held at Bradenton Country Club, Florida, on the 25th. Sung Yu-jin is known for her excellent shot accuracy. Last year, she ranked 2nd in greens in regulation (75.9%). In this training, she will focus on refining her short game and putting. She humbly stated, "Overall, I need to handle everything well. I think I need to play well with all 14 clubs to survive on the U.S. stage."

Sung Yu-jin is a Dragon by zodiac. She wants to make a mark in this Year of the Blue Dragon. She said, "Sisters born in the Year of the Dragon like Shin Ji-ae, Choi Na-yeon, and Park In-bi did so well in the U.S. Watching their success gave me great inspiration." She added, "I want to receive the good energy from my Dragon seniors. I want to achieve good results like them." Finally, she shared her determination to take on the new stage. "I won't set a goal to win. I want to spend a year without regrets. I will be confident but not arrogant and do my best. I will become a player who lasts steadily. Please give me lots of support."

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