(Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, golf journalist) ○… “Hit Icon” Yoo Hyun-joo (26 years old, photo) aims for the “Top 10”.
The first, at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize pool KRW 800 million) of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour held at Saint Four Golf Resort in Jeju City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,500 yards), she scored 4 under par on the third day and tied for 12th place (10 under par for 206 strokes). Although she is 9 strokes behind leader Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks, 19-under by 197 strokes), she is only 1 stroke behind the joint 9th place (11-under by 205 strokes) including Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte), which makes the “Top 10 competition” well within her reach.
Yoo Hyun-joo played on the KLPGA Tour for two years starting in 2016 but lost his tour card. Last year, she failed in her challenge at the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. In November, she earned a conditional card by finishing 35th in the qualifying tournament. This year, especially with her height of 172 cm and flashy fashion sense, she enjoys explosive popularity surpassing even world stars. It’s unfortunate that his best finish was only tied for 51st at May’s KLPGA Championship. She was eliminated six times in seven tournaments, causing frustration.
However, in this tournament she showed resilience with 4 under par in the first round and 2 under par in the second round. On the second day, she showed exceptional offensive power by making seven birdies. She was hampered by two bogeys and a triple bogey. That day, she changed momentum again by making four birdies on holes 10, 12, 15 and 18. Her “computer iron shots” with a green success rate of 83.33% stood out. She burns with determination and declares: “I will do my best on every hole.”
© Asia Business Daily (www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
