Kim Hyoju's Comeback... The 'Hidden Secret'

Two Consecutive Wins Mark Kim Hyoju's Prime at Age 30
Pull-Ups and Leg Presses Fuel Her Impressive Driving Distance
Open-Minded Approach to Equipment: Shaft Change This Year
Korda Praises: "Kim Hyoju's Performance Is Outstanding"

Born in July 1995, Kim Hyoju is often called a "golf prodigy." She stood out from an early age, making both amateur and professional players nervous with her talent.

She actually set a series of youngest-ever records. In 2012, she won tournaments in Korea (Lotte Mart Women's Open), Japan (Suntory Ladies Open), and Taiwan (Swinging Skirts), achieving the youngest-ever victory in Japan at 16 years and 332 days old, along with a remarkable 61-shot record for the lowest 18-hole score. In 2014, she won five times and claimed four titles on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. That same September, as a non-member, she won the major Evian Championship, earning a direct ticket to the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.

It was expected that she would quickly reach No. 1 in the world rankings, but reality proved more difficult. Golf is a sport with many variables. After winning the Bahamas Classic in 2016, she went through a slump. However, Kim Hyoju overcame that difficult period and has now reached her prime this year. Recently, she has continued her upward momentum by winning back-to-back titles at the Fortinet Founders Cup and the Ford Championship. These are her first two wins in a single season and her ninth career victory. She currently ranks first in wins, prize money, Player of the Year points, and CME Globe points. Now, at the age of 30, her talent is exploding once again.

Kim Hyoju, ranked third in the world, is in her prime at 30 years old this year. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The most significant change has been her increased driving distance. Last year, Kim Hyoju's average driving distance was 247.36 yards, but this year, it has risen to 264.47 yards—a 17.11-yard increase. Notably, at last week's Ford Championship, she averaged 278 yards. As the LPGA Tour courses get longer, Kim Hyoju has adopted a strategy of securing distance with her tee shots and attacking the greens with shorter clubs. At the Ford Championship, she also set the LPGA Tour 54-hole record for the lowest score (25-under-par 191).

This transformation is the result of intense training. Even on Mondays, which are typically rest days, Kim Hyoju would go to the gym. She focused on pull-up exercises to efficiently use her upper body muscles. She also incorporated leg presses and bench presses, which helped her prevent injuries and maintain skeletal muscle mass. She performed three strict pull-ups at a time, and her personal best on the leg press reached 240 kilograms. Consistent physical conditioning has led to her increased driving distance.

While building strength, she did not neglect flexibility. By stretching and doing yoga, she maintained body balance and improved the consistency of her swing. Kim Hyoju's precise shot-making remains intact. This year, her average fairway accuracy rate is 83.04%, and her greens-in-regulation rate is 76.04%.

Her driver shot shape has also changed. She switched from her previous fade to a draw. A draw shot starts out to the right and curves left, generally resulting in longer distance. Kim Hyoju focused on changing her shot shape during the winter in Hawaii last year, and now freely uses a draw with both her driver and irons.

Kim Hyoju is doing pull-up exercises to increase her driving distance. Provided by Team Glorious

She also made changes in her equipment choices. Kim Hyoju switched to a zero-torque putter and is proactive about making equipment changes. According to her sponsor, Yonex Golf, she requested a 4S-spec shaft that is slightly heavier than the previous Kaiza Lite shaft from Yonex's headquarters in Japan and has been using it this season. This choice was made to deliver the ball more consistently and with greater power.

With newfound confidence, Kim Hyoju is playing more aggressively. She has recorded the second-most birdies (90) and the most eagles (5) on tour this season. Kim Hyoju said, "I'm trying to make more birdies than before," adding, "I'm playing aggressively."

Nelly Korda, who was content with consecutive runner-up finishes for two weeks after hitting a wall against Hyo Joo Kim, praised, "Hyo Joo Kim's performance was remarkable." Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Kim Hyoju's greatest strength is her unshakable mentality. She has not been outperformed even in her rivalry with world No. 2 Nelly Korda. After losing to Kim Hyoju twice in a row, Korda praised her, saying, "Kim Hyoju's performance was outstanding."

Kim Hyoju's goals are to become world No. 1 and to win an Olympic gold medal. Having reached her prime later in her career, Kim Hyoju's golf journey is just beginning.

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