[New Challenge] Lim Ji-yoo: "(Bang) Shin-sil unnie, see you on tour"

Former National Team Member, Ranked 2nd Among Regular Members, Advances Through Seed Round
Debut with Former Caddy of I Bomi, Specializes in 8-Iron
Mentor Shin Ji-ae, Aims for First Victory and Rookie of the Year Title

"Thank you, unni."

There is a reliable advisor for ‘super rookie’ Lim Ji-yoo, who is debuting on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour this year. That is Bang Shin-sil, who gained sensational popularity last year by winning two tournaments on the KLPGA Tour with her powerful long drives. Lim Ji-yoo became close with Bang Shin-sil while serving as a national team member in 2022. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 13th, she said with a bright smile, "She is such a kind and fun unni. Now she has become a superstar," and added, "Since unni has already played on the tour, I receive a lot of advice from her. She shares various experiences, which I think will be very helpful."

'Super Rookie' Lim Ji-yoo expressed her bold aspiration, saying, "I want to win the championship and Rookie of the Year this year."
[Photo by CJ]

Born in June 2005, Lim Ji-yoo was exceptional from the start. She began playing golf at the age of five. "My maternal grandmother liked golf. I followed her to the practice range and found it so fun. After seeing me swing a golf club for two hours, my mom decided to have me take up golf." Lim Ji-yoo went abroad to the United States and Australia for training at a young age, getting early exposure to advanced golf. While active as a national team member for two years, she collected quite a few trophies during her amateur days. In April last year, she participated in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament, finishing tied for 5th, the best result ever for a Korean player. She recalled, "Just going to Augusta was an honor. I was satisfied with my good performance. It was an unforgettable experience."

Lim Ji-yoo possesses a ‘steel mentality.’ She contracted COVID-19 on the first day of the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. Although her fever did not subside and her condition was at its worst, she could not give up on the team event and completed it to the end. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "I was not satisfied with my individual performance, but thanks to my friends (Kim Min-sol, Yoo Hyun-jo) doing well, we won a precious silver medal in the team event." In October last year, during the KLPGA full membership qualifying tournament, she was worried because her shot feeling was not good. She was also burdened by the fear of possibly failing. The full membership qualifying tournament was a 54-hole stroke play, and she confidently passed in 2nd place. She also secured a full tour card by finishing 10th in the regular tour qualifying tournament. "If the results were not good, a whole year would have been lost. Even though my body was tired, I really focused. After passing the full membership, I played the qualifying tournament more comfortably."

Lim Ji-yoo is taking a tee shot at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
[Photo by Korea Golf Association]

Lim Ji-yoo also participated in quite a few KLPGA Tour tournaments during her amateur days. She received the Best Amateur Award. She started playing in professional tournaments from 2020, and in the 2022 Korea Women’s Open, she finished tied for 7th. However, every time she played in tour events, she felt that the professional stage was not easy. She explained, "The course setup is difficult. The green speed is very different. Amateur tournaments have slower greens, making it easier to attack, but professional tournaments have incredible speed. Adapting to the greens is a priority." She added, "I think harmony with the caddie is also important," and said, "The caddie who used to carry bags for pro Lee Bo-mi will be helping me. I think I will receive a lot of help."

Lim Ji-yoo’s strength is her iron shots. She emphasized, "I am confident with my 8-iron at 135 meters." She has also increased her distance significantly, by about 20 meters. Her driver averages 230 to 240 meters. Her swing style is distinctive. She explained, "I learned how to use power in my swing to increase distance. I am also exercising consistently." Shin Ji-ae is her mentor, a ‘living legend’ with 64 career wins as a professional. "I like pro Shin Ji-ae the most. She achieved great results in the US, Japan, and Korea. I also read an article that she plans to challenge the Paris Olympics this year. I want to have a long career like pro Shin Ji-ae."

Lim Ji-yoo promised, "I will be a player who is faithful to the process and has good character."
[Photo by CJ]

Lim Ji-yoo left for training camp in Thailand on the 14th. She plans to train for about a month. Pro Shin Jun is her swing coach. She said, "This time, I plan to focus on my short game. The green speed is different, so I need to prepare for that." Her goals for this year are her first victory and Rookie of the Year. "I think dreams should be big," she said. After winning at least one tournament every year on the KLPGA Tour, she plans to move to the United States. "I will be faithful to the process. I want to be a player who people trust and watch, always competing for wins, and also a player with good character. I am really looking forward to my first tournament."

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