Kim Hyuncheol, 50, Becomes Oldest Ever to Qualify for Pro Selection Tournament

Tied for 20th Place in Group B of the Full Membership Qualifying Tournament
Joined at Age 50 Years, 5 Months, and 29 Days, Born in 1975
"I Want to Challenge Myself Again and Definitely Win a Tournament"

Hyuncheol Kim, born in 1975, has passed the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour full member (professional) qualifying tournament, becoming the oldest person ever to do so.

On September 8, the KPGA announced, "Hyuncheol Kim finished tied for 20th in Group B of the KPGA Tour Professional Qualifying Tournament last month and was admitted as a member at the age of 50 years, 5 months, and 29 days." The association added, "He broke the previous record set by Park Sangjin in 2023, who qualified at the age of 49 years, 6 months, and 29 days." This is the first time someone in their 50s has passed the qualifying tournament.

Hyuncheol Kim qualified as a full member of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association Tour at the oldest age in history. Photo by KPGA

Hyuncheol Kim was first introduced to golf in 1994. Encouraged by his father, he got a job at a golf practice range, where he picked up a golf club for the first time. After completing his military service, he began to seriously pursue his dream of becoming a professional golfer. He joined the KPGA as an associate member (professional) in November 2003 and started giving lessons. After teaching for 21 years and 9 months, he finally became a full member.

He reflected, "I am happy because it feels like I have been rewarded for all the hard work I have put in," recalling that "during the final round, I felt like I was going back and forth between heaven and hell until the very last moment." He added, "I just started a little later than others," and expressed his determination, saying, "I want to challenge myself again and win a championship."

The KPGA holds the full member qualifying tournament twice a year. After selecting 240 participants through regional preliminaries, the top 25 finishers from both Group A and Group B in the finals-a total of 50 people-are granted full membership.