Yoonina Finally Debuts in the United States
by Roh Woolae
Published 05 Feb.2025 08:00(KST)
Updated 05 Feb.2025 08:33(KST)
Debut at the Founders Cup in Florida on the 6th
Secured full tour card this year with 8th place in Q-Series
Changed main sponsor and equipment, aiming for Rookie of the Year
Equipped with powerful drives and top-class irons; adapting to turf is key
Yoo In-na is finally making her debut in the United States.
Starting from the 6th (local time), she will compete for four days at the Founders Cup of the LPGA Tour (total prize money of $2 million) held at Bradenton Country Club (par 71, 6,465 yards) in Bradenton, Florida. She was not eligible to participate in last week’s “champion of champions” Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. This marks her first appearance on the U.S. stage. Yoo secured her full tour card by finishing 8th in the final stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series last year.
Yoo In-na debuted on the 2023 KLPGA Tour and quickly rose to become one of the most popular players with her powerful driving and thrilling gameplay. However, she was banned from participating for three years due to a rules violation during her rookie season but returned to the field last year after a disciplinary reduction by the KLPGA Tour. She swept major individual titles last year, including Player of the Year, money list leader, and lowest scoring average.
Yoo has equipped herself with driving power and high-quality iron shots with a high trajectory that also work well on the LPGA Tour. She has gained confidence that she can succeed on the LPGA Tour as well. After securing her LPGA Tour card, she changed her main sponsor and equipment. She spent about a month training at her base camp in Florida, similar to the course where this tournament is held, focusing on adaptation. Analysts say that how quickly she adapts to local courses, including Bermuda grass, which she has not often experienced, will be the key to her success.
Besides Yoo In-na’s debut, this tournament also draws attention as the comeback event for Jeon In-ji and Park Sung-hyun. Both have been sidelined by injuries and are aiming for a comeback. Jeon will compete in an LPGA Tour event for the first time in nearly nine months since the US Women’s Open last May. Park, who took a medical leave last season, will return to the LPGA Tour after one year and four months since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship in October.
Ko Jin-young is a strong favorite to win. She has won this tournament three times, the most in its history. Korea will field players holding LPGA Tour cards including Kim Hyo-joo, Lee So-mi, Lee Mi-hyang, Jeon Ji-won, and Ji Eun-hee. Opening event winners Kim A-rim and Yoo Hae-ran have chosen to rest. The field also includes world No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), defending champion Rose Zhang (USA), Ayaka Furue (Japan), Charley Hull (England), and C?line Boutier (France).
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