'Gayoungdonghwa' Lee Gayoung "Look Forward to the New 'Ttogayoung'"

"Please look forward to the new Ttogayoung."

Lee Gayoung has a nickname. It is ‘Ttogayoung.’ It means ‘Second Place Gayoung Again.’ She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2019 and finished as runner-up four times. The dishonor of being a ‘runner-up specialist’ followed her. In October last year, Lee Gayoung succeeded in ‘97 attempts and 98th try’ at the Dongbu Construction·Korea Land Trust Championship. She broke free from a severe win drought. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 24th, Lee Gayoung said, "This year, I will create a new Ttogayoung," adding, "Please remember me as Ttouwinseunggayoung (Winner Gayoung Again)."

Lee Ga-young, who escaped the dishonor of being known as the "runner-up specialist," expressed her determination, saying, "This year, I will create the phrase 'Double Champion Ga-young'."

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Lee Gayoung was successful during her amateur days. She was a national team member for three years from 2015 and was called the strongest junior female golfer along with her same-age peer Choi Hyejin. In 2018, she won twice on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour and ranked 3rd in the prize money ranking (85,915,534 KRW), earning a regular tour card. Expectations were high that she would become a ‘frequent winner’ on the KLPGA Tour as well. However, it was a series of hardships. Before winning, she made the ‘Top 10’ 22 times but lacked the final 2%. She often collapsed in the final round.

Lee Gayoung calmly said, "It was very hard when I couldn’t win," but added, "I don’t necessarily think being runner-up is a failure." She continued, "I think consistently making the ‘Top 10’ even without a win is meaningful," and "That experience accumulated and made me stronger, which I believe led to my victory."

Having escaped the runner-up jinx, Lee Gayoung filled in her weaknesses during a training camp in Thailand to take a step further. She left on January 15 and returned on March 4. She focused solely on practice for about 48 days in Thailand. Lee Gayoung explained, "I focused on the short game, greenside approach shots, and putting." She added, "While playing on tour, I realized the importance of physical fitness," and "I did weight training and core exercises every day."

Lee Gayoung’s mentors are Kim Seyoung, who is active on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, and Kim Haneul, who retired after winning a total of 14 titles on the Korean and Japanese tours. She is close to them as they learned together under coach Lee Kyunghun. Lee Gayoung said, "Seyoung unnie is a pro I respect. Just being with her is great," showing admiration, "She generates tremendous distance from a small frame, and especially her hand sensitivity seems excellent." About Kim Haneul, she said, "Haneul unnie shows a competitive spirit when a winning opportunity comes," and "I want to emulate her thorough management."

Lee Gayoung said that the bunker shot she learned from 'Tank' Choi Kyungjoo is the one she is most confident in.

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Lee Gayoung’s strength is consistency. She handles the driver, irons, and putter well. She is especially confident in bunker shots. In 2014, she was selected for the 7th class of the Choi Kyungju Golf Dream Tree and learned bunker shots thoroughly. Lee Gayoung recalled, "I can never forget the bunker shots I learned from Pro Choi Kyungju," adding, "I practiced in the bunker for eight hours a day." She said, "I brought a new wedge, but the grooves were so sharp that it looked like a coin shape," and emphasized, "Bunkers are always OK." When asked for bunker tips for amateur golfers, she advised, "Bunker shots are not about hitting the ball first. You hit the sand behind the ball to use that explosive power to escape," and "It’s important to open the clubface a lot and swing confidently."

Lee Gayoung is a warm-hearted player. In December last year, she donated 10 million KRW to the Choi Kyungju Foundation. She said, "I am grateful for the time I spent as a Choi Kyungju Golf Dream Tree receiving overseas winter training, practice rounds, and various support," and smiled, "I hope to help juniors enjoy such opportunities even a little." Lee Gayoung participated in the ‘Dream With Birdie’ program, a representative sharing activity of the KLPGA Tour last year. She pledged 20,000 KRW per birdie and made 278 birdies, accumulating 5.56 million KRW. She was the highest donor in ‘Dream With Birdie’ last year. Lee Gayoung said, "I decided to participate in this program again this year. I will donate to good causes every time I make a birdie," showing a happy expression, "Helping someone is a joyful thing."

Lee Gayoung has many strong supporters. They are the members of her fan club ‘Gayoungdonghwa.’ She explained, "It was created two years ago and has over 900 members," adding, "We live like a family." Every week, about 15 members come to the tournament venue to cheer. When she won her first victory last year, she kept her promise to buy beef for the fan club members. Lee Gayoung said, "Some come even taking leave from their regular jobs," and "I am truly grateful." The Gayoungdonghwa members also followed her to the training camp in Thailand. She shared an episode, "When I won, someone was crying, and the camera kept focusing on them, thinking it was my father."

Lee Gayoung set a goal of one win in the first half and one win in the second half of this year. She expressed confidence, saying, "I want to make a better season than last year," and "I will win at least twice." She fired a warning shot toward victory by finishing third at the Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship, which ended on the 13th. Lee Gayoung said, "My shots are good," and "My score management is at a good point." She smiled brightly, saying, "I will only deliver good news this year," and "I will write a beautiful ‘Gayoungdonghwa.’"

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