[New Start New Challenge] Wang Jeunghun Makes Domestic Tour Debut: "The Secret to Longevity Is Taking Care of My Body"

Three Career Wins on the DP World Tour, Success Across Multiple Tours

Qualified Through KPGA Tour QT, Makes Rookie Debut

The Secret to Longevity: "Condition Management Over Practice"

Plans for Overseas Tours: "I'm Ready to Take On Any Challenge"

The "Original Nomad," Wang Jeunghun, is a late-blooming rookie.

Wang Jeunghun, who elevated the status of Korean men's golf on the international stage, made his Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour debut at the 21st DB Insurance Promy Open held at La Vie Belle Golf & Resort in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on April 16. After finishing the first round, he smiled and said, "I'm not sure if I really feel like a rookie," adding, "It felt different to play in the domestic opening event. I was very happy and amazed to play golf in front of Korean fans."

Born in September 1995, he is now 30 years old. He is a proven player with three wins on the DP World Tour. In 2016, at the age of 20 years and 263 days, he set the record as the youngest player in European Tour history to win back-to-back tournaments over two consecutive weeks. The following year, he also claimed victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He represented Korea at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Up until last year, he had participated in only 17 KPGA Tour events, with his personal best being tied for third place on three occasions.

The 'Original Nomad' Wang Jeonghun aims to expand overseas this year by simultaneously participating in domestic and Asian tours. Photo by KPGA

He is known as an “icon of challenge.” He started golf in the fourth grade of elementary school in 2005, influenced by his father, Wang Youngjo, who was a teaching professional. From an early age, he built his experience overseas. He went to the Philippines to study golf, and in 2011, at the age of 16, he debuted on the Asian Tour. He further developed his skills by competing in various tournaments across China, Europe, and other parts of the world. He reflected, "My father was a teaching pro, and he loved golf so much that I naturally came to play. I consider myself lucky."

Wang Jeunghun has not added a trophy since his victory in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic limited his tournament appearances, and his military service obligations led to a prolonged hiatus. He said, "It wasn't due to a major injury or slump," and added, "There was a period of nearly three years when I couldn't play golf."

Wang Jeonghoon is smiling brightly holding the trophy after recording his third DP World Tour victory at the 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Since his professional debut in 2012, he has been on tour for 15 years. He credits his longevity to careful condition management. "Practice is important, but managing my condition is even more critical," he explained. "I think the reason I've been able to play for so long is that I've rarely suffered injuries." To younger players, he advised, "These days, the level of play among players is so high, but to have a long career, you must avoid injuries. I hope you pay more attention to taking care of your body."

He remains highly competitive. His average driving distance is about 300 yards. In the first round of this tournament, he scored an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole by reaching the green in two and making a single putt.

This year, he plans to focus on both the KPGA Tour and the Asian Tour. Last November, he secured domestic playing rights by finishing tied for eighth at the KPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT). While aiming to engage more with Korean fans through the KPGA Tour, he also intends to maintain his international competitiveness by participating in the Asian Tour, which offers significant prize money and world ranking points. He stated, "My goal this year is to consistently perform well by competing on both tours."

Wang Junghun has the power to drive the ball over 300 yards on average. Provided by the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA)

His dreams of competing on a bigger stage remain unchanged. In January, he participated in the LIV Golf Promotion event seeking to secure a spot, but narrowly missed out by finishing tied for fourth, just outside the top three who received entry. Nevertheless, he proved his competitiveness by battling for position against world-class players until the very end. He honestly shared, "Even now, I still feel a lot of regret."

His busy schedule continues. Next week, he will compete in the Asian Tour Singapore Open. He emphasized, "I'm determined to challenge myself on bigger tours, whether it's LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, or anywhere else."

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