'Korean Power'... 'Shoot the Golden Shot' [Paris Olympics]

Kim Juhyung and Ahn Byunghun Perfectly Rehearse Previous Course Experience
Ko Jinyoung, Yang Heeyoung, Kim Hyoju Regain Honor with Medal Wins
Schauffele, McIlroy, Schauffele, Korda Stars All Gathered

Can they deliver a 'golden shot' this time?

Kim Juhyung challenges to win a medal at the Paris Olympics.

Korean male and female golf players are challenging for gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Representing the men’s division are Kim Joo-hyung and An Byeong-hun. The women’s division features Ko Jin-young, Yang Hee-young, and Kim Hyo-joo. Korea is also expecting medals in archery, fencing, and taekwondo at this Paris Olympics. If they add medals in golf, they could bring home results beyond expectations. Only individual events for men and women are held in golf.

Olympic qualification was determined based on the Olympic golf rankings by the International Golf Federation (IGF), which are based on the men’s and women’s world rankings. Although the Paris Olympics opened on the 26th of last month, the men’s golf competition starts on August 1, and the women’s follows a week later on the 7th. The battleground is the Le Golf National Olympic Course near Paris, France. The Korea Golf Association has set prize money of 300 million KRW for gold, 150 million KRW for silver, and 100 million KRW for bronze medals.

Ahn Byung-hoon is making his second Olympic appearance since the 2016 Rio Games.

The men’s division begins first. Both Kim Joo-hyung and An Byeong-hun are players expected to win medals. After fierce competition, they earned the Taegeuk mark. This is Kim Joo-hyung’s first Olympic appearance. Since he has not yet completed military service, he has a chance to receive military benefits. Winning a bronze medal or higher at the Olympics will substitute for basic military training. Kim Joo-hyung experienced the Olympic battleground early last September. He finished tied for 6th at the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) Cazoo Open de France, completing a perfect rehearsal.

Kim Joo-hyung also expressed a special determination about his Olympic participation. "I never had the chance to represent my country when I was young. I also have experience playing at the Olympic course during the Cazoo Open last September, so I will try to achieve good results. After The Open, I stayed in Europe to prepare for the Olympics. I am looking forward to competing on the world stage."

Ahn Byung-hoon is famous as the son of the 'table tennis couple' Ahn Jae-hyung and Zhao Zimin.

An Byeong-hun is making his second Olympic appearance following the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. About ten years ago, he played on the DP World Tour at the tournament course. He stated, "If I don’t finish in the top three at the Olympics, it means nothing. I will aim for a medal over the 72-hole competition." An Byeong-hun’s parents, the ‘table tennis couple’ An Jae-hyung and Zhao Zimin, are both Olympic table tennis medalists. If their son wins a medal, it will create a two-generation Olympic medal family.

The female players are aiming to restore their honor. This year, they have only one win combined on the U.S. LPGA Tour. They are determined to show the strength of the Taegeuk ladies in Paris. It has been eight years since Park In-bee won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and now they aim for the top again. The frontrunner is world No. 3 Ko Jin-young, who has accumulated 15 wins on the LPGA Tour. She has made a name for herself as a tour powerhouse, winning Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, lowest scoring average, and money title awards.

Ko Jin-young is making her second Olympic appearance following the 2021 Tokyo Games. At that time, she formed a strong team with Park In-bee, Kim Hyo-joo, and Kim Sei-young, raising expectations for a gold medal, but unexpectedly finished the tournament without a medal. Ko Jin-young tied for 9th place in Tokyo. Since 2022, she has struggled with minor injuries to her wrist and shoulder. She has not won on the LPGA Tour since the Founders Cup in May last year.

Ko Jin-young aims to restore her honor at the Paris Olympics.

However, she is determined to quench her thirst for victory at this Paris Olympics. Last month, she returned to form by finishing tied for 2nd at the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, following Yang Hee-young. Ko Jin-young said, "I want to play without regrets in my second Olympics. My condition is good, and I am fully focused on preparing for the Olympics, so I am confident I will achieve great results. The Olympic course is not easy, requiring concentration, which will work to my advantage. This is a rare Olympic opportunity in my life. I want to make the most of this precious chance and bring a gold medal to the people."

Yang Hee-young’s form is also good. She won the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last month, the only domestic player victory this year. She had suffered mentally due to lack of sponsors but signed a main sponsorship contract with Kiwoom Securities ahead of the Olympics. She will step onto the Olympic stage for the first time in eight years since the Rio Games. She said with a bright smile, "I am happy to have a reliable sponsor. I will do my best at the Olympics to repay the support I have received."

Kim Hyo-joo is also a gold medal contender. She is a player whose strength lies in consistency. She has six wins on the LPGA Tour, including one major. She finished tied for 15th at the Tokyo Games. She said, "I was very nervous in Tokyo. This time, I am much less nervous than then. I believe I will perform better. I consider this my last Olympics. I really want to win the Olympic gold in Paris," expressing her earnest desire.

The competitors are also formidable. Unlike the Rio and Tokyo Games, many top-ranked players are participating in the men’s division. The U.S. is dominant. The world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, along with major champions this year?Zander Shofley, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa?are on the U.S. team. Scheffler has demonstrated absolute dominance with six wins in 16 tournaments this year. Shofley is aiming for back-to-back victories following the Tokyo Games.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is a strong gold medal contender for the Paris Olympics.

Additionally, world No. 3 Rory McIlroy (Ireland), rising star Ludvig ?berg (Sweden), Viktor Hovland (Norway), LIV Golf member Jon Rahm (Spain), and host country France’s Matthieu Pavon and Victor Perez are all eyeing victory. Dark horses include Jason Day and Minwoo Lee (both Australia), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick (both England), and Joaqu?n Niemann (Chile), who has two wins this year on LIV Golf.

The women’s division also features strong medal contenders from the U.S. World No. 1 and Tokyo gold medalist Nelly Korda, No. 2 Lilia Vu, and Rose Zhang are all on the flight to Paris. The US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso (Japan), Atthaya Thitikul and Patty Tavatanakit (both Thailand), and Asian players like Lin Yufeng and Lin Xiyu (both China) are expected to stage a pleasant upset. Lydia Ko (New Zealand), making her third Olympic appearance, and big-game performers Minjee Lee (Australia) and Brooke Henderson (Canada) cannot be overlooked. Players familiar with European courses, such as C?line Boutier (France), Charlie Hull, and Georgia Hall (both England), are also close to the winner’s circle.

Defending champion Nelly Korda eyes back-to-back victories at the Paris Olympics.

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