[New Challenge] Rookie Yoo Hyun-jo “Expect Great Things from My First Competition”

Medals in Team and Individual Events at Hangzhou Asian Games
3rd Place in Regular Member Selection, 5th Seed Ranking Tour Entry
Height 170cm, Powerful Long Shots as Main Weapon, Strong Mentality
Perfected Fitness and Short Game through Palm Springs Training Camp
"Looking Forward to Competing with Rookies, Goal This Year is Rookie of the Year"

‘Yoo Hyun-jo’. A name that golf fans should remember. She is a 2005-born ‘super rookie’ debuting on this year’s Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. The ‘top prospect’ who won two medals at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games last October is finally stepping onto the professional stage. Yoo Hyun-jo is currently undergoing training in California, USA. On the 25th, she said, "Playing on the KLPGA Tour feels like a dream," and expressed her determination, "I will work hard with the goal of winning my first title and Rookie of the Year."

'Hangzhou Asian Games medalist' Yoo Hyun-jo expressed confidence, saying, "I will create a rookie sensation on this year's KLPGA Tour."

Yoo Hyun-jo was introduced to golf while attending a kindergarten that runs a kids’ golf program. Around that time, her grandmother’s operation of a screen golf center also helped greatly. After developing a strong interest in golf, she began seriously dreaming of becoming a player from the third grade of elementary school. "I found it fun because I could feel my golf skills improving. In the first amateur tournament I participated in, I scored 113 strokes. After practicing hard, I even recorded under par in the same tournament a year later."

She experienced yips (a phenomenon where muscle spasms occur due to pressure) during her childhood. From the second year of middle school to the first year of high school, she struggled with driving yips. In 2021, she also underwent surgery for a knee injury. She reflected, "I decided not to think too much. By focusing on small details, I was able to regain my confidence," and added, "Since having knee surgery, I have been on an upward trend and have achieved good results so far."

Yoo Hyun-jo made her name known through the Hangzhou Asian Games. She left a strong impression competing against top players from the LPGA Tour such as Lin Ying, Lin Xiyu (both from China), and Aditi Ashok (India). Especially in the final 4th round, she shot a 7-under-par 65, earning a team silver medal and an individual bronze medal. She recalled, "I still feel proud. I shot 6-under-par over the last 9 holes. It was the most proud performance of my life."

Yoo Hyun-jo is posing after winning the bronze medal in the individual event at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.

Last October, she placed 3rd in the full membership qualifying tournament. Then in November, she finished 5th in the KLPGA Tour seed ranking final, signaling her potential for the 2024 regular season. Her 5th place in the seed ranking is the best result among rookies this year. Yoo Hyun-jo has solid physical attributes. She is 170cm tall. Her powerful long drives are impressive and provide momentum for potential victories on this year’s KLPGA Tour.

In September last year, she showcased a long drive of 260 yards at the KB Financial Star Championship, where she participated as a recommended player. She earned a tie for 14th place among strong senior players, gaining confidence that she can compete on the professional stage. "Watching the performances of older players who excel at long drives, I often thought, ‘Can I stand beside them and get noticed too?’ I will show refreshing and powerful shots based on strong physical fitness."

Last winter, she signed a contract with Samchully Sports Team. Recognized for her talent and potential since her amateur days, she was selected as a junior player for the Samchully Academy in 2019. Through systematic training, professional coaching, and meticulous management, she has grown into a top-level player. The Samchully Sports Team includes players like Kim Hae-rim, Go Ji-woo, Go Ji-won, Ma Da-som, Park Do-young, Choi Ga-bin, Lee Jae-yoon, and Jung Ji-hyun. They are expected to be strong supporters for Yoo Hyun-jo.

Yoo Hyun-jo is expressing his feelings about making his professional debut at the Samchully Sports Team entrance ceremony.

With active support from her sponsors, Yoo Hyun-jo left for training in Palm Springs, USA, on the 9th of last month. In the US, she is focusing on physical conditioning to perfectly complete a full season. "I think physical fitness is important to compete on the regular tour, so I am concentrating on fitness training," she emphasized. She is also refining her short game to adapt to fast greens. She said, "I tend to make many mistakes on short putts. I am focusing on improving that part."

Yoo Hyun-jo’s goal is Rookie of the Year. This year, many strong rookies, including Lim Ji-yoo, who played with her at the Hangzhou Asian Games, and Park Ye-ji, a fellow national team member, will join the tour. She said, "I am now competing on the regular tour with my former national team colleagues," and expressed her determination, "I will work hard aiming for my first win and Rookie of the Year." Yoo Hyun-jo has applied to participate in the 2024 season opener, the Hana Financial Group Singapore Ladies Open, which will be held over four days from March 7 at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore. Although her participation is not yet confirmed and she is on the waiting list, she said, "I am excited about my professional debut. I want to show a good performance from the first tournament. Please give me lots of support."

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