'Korean Tour Oldest Rookie of the Year' Lee Won-jun "My Goal is to Have a Long Run~"

KPGA 2020 Season Rookie of the Year at 35: "Honing Short Game to Challenge Prime"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I want to be a long-lasting player."

This is the determination of Lee Won-jun (Australia, photo), the oldest rookie of all time. He is the recipient of the Myungchulsang (Rookie of the Year) award in the 2020 season of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour at the age of 35 years and 16 days. He said, "I was happy and proud because it was the first season title I ever won since I started playing golf," but also reflected, "Although I achieved a victory, my goal this year was multiple wins, so I have some regrets." Lee Won-jun was once ranked number one in the amateur world rankings.

He turned professional in November 2006 and achieved his first career win at the KPGA Championship in June last year, 13 years later. In October, he earned his second career win at the Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open and entered the top 10 three times in 11 tournaments, rising to the best rookie. Although he earned a Korean Tour card and participated as a regular member, he did not meet one-third of the season's tournaments (3 out of 15), so he qualified as a "rookie" starting in 2020.

"Honestly, I was often driven by greed before," Lee Won-jun said. "I am gradually finding the style of play I want," and explained, "I realized that to maintain a good overall flow, I sometimes need to take a step back." He is now a father to his daughter Lee Chae-eun (1). "At the time of my first win, she was still in my wife's womb, but this year I watched her celebrate the victory outside the world," he said. "The biggest change since becoming a head of the family is that I have become calmer."

His consistent play is powered by a greens in regulation rate of 70.59% (26th) and an average of 1.78 putts per hole (25th). His goal for next year is multiple wins. This is why he is focusing on improving his short game during the off-season. "Although I am in my mid-30s, I will work hard to reach my prime," Lee Won-jun said firmly. "Looking at players like Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) and Yang Yong-eun (48), they showed tremendous skills at my age as well," he added. "I will prepare steadily and move forward."