[2021 LPGA Tour Weather] Korea "Challenging for 2 Consecutive Olympic Golds"... Who Will Compete for 'Number 1'?

World No.1 Ko Jin-young, No.2 Kim Se-young, No.3 Park In-bi Likely to Compete in Tokyo Olympics; 'US Women's Open Champ' Kim A-rim Joins 'K Squad'; Interest in Jutanugarn and Lydia Ko's 'Comeback'

Ko Jin-young, Kim Se-young, Park In-bi, and Kim Hyo-joo (from left) are players likely to participate in the Tokyo Olympics in August.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Back-to-back Olympic gold medals’.

The biggest topic in Korean women's golf this year is whether they can achieve back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Following Inbee Park (33, KB Financial Group) at the 2016 Rio Olympics, they will challenge for the gold medal again at the Tokyo Olympics. World No. 1 Jin Young Ko (26) and No. 2 Sei Young Kim (28, Mirae Asset) have already entered a fierce competition for the ‘Number 1’ spot, and Arim Kim (26, SBI Savings Bank) has gone to the United States aiming for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title. It will also be interesting to see if traditional powerhouses like Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) and Lexi Thompson (USA) will make a comeback.

▲ "Who will secure the Tokyo Olympic ticket?"= The competition to enter the Tokyo Olympics, postponed by one year to August, is heating up. If a player ranks within the ‘Top 15’ in the world rankings announced on June 28, up to four players can participate. Korea’s Inbee Park became a ‘Career Golden Slammer’ by winning at the Rio Olympics. As of the 18th, Jin Young Ko, Sei Young Kim, and Inbee Park, ranked 1st to 3rd in the world, are relatively secure. A fierce battle is expected for the remaining spot.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Hyo Joo Kim (26, Lotte) who played on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour is ranked 9th in the world, making her Korea’s ‘Number 4’. She made a perfect comeback by winning 2 titles and topping five categories including wins, prize money, and lowest scoring average. Sung Hyun Park (28), ranked 10th, Jeongeun Lee6 (25, Daebang Construction), ranked 12th, and So Yeon Ryu (31, Mediheal), ranked 14th, are in pursuit.

'US Women's Open Champion' Kim A-lim aims for her sixth consecutive Korean LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year award, powered by her powerful long drives.

▲ "How far will K-Power go?"= The competition among the Taegeuk Ladies is intense. Korea won 7 titles in the ‘mini season’ of only 18 tournaments held last year due to COVID-19. This marks six consecutive years of leading in wins since 2015. They swept 3 major titles and also claimed the ‘Player of the Year’ and ‘Money Queen’ titles. Jin Young Ko joined late but still topped the LPGA Tour prize money rankings after playing only 4 tournaments. Her sharp rise with a win at the CME Group Tour Championship raises expectations for the new season.

Above all, Sei Young Kim’s strong performance is anticipated. Last year, she won 2 titles including her first-ever ‘Major Queen’ title, playing a key ace role. Her bold determination is, "This year’s goal is to participate in the Olympics and become world No. 1." Additionally, Arim Kim, who won the U.S. Women’s Open as a non-member, is competing. She dreams of becoming the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year for the sixth consecutive time for Korea, relying on her powerful long drives. Sung Hyun Park and Inbee Jeon (27, KB Financial Group), who had no wins last year, are also joining the fray.

The 'traditional powerhouse' Ariya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko, and Lexi Thompson (from left) are dreaming of a spectacular comeback this year.

▲ "Comeback of the powerhouses?"= World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn was regarded as the ‘next-generation golf queen’. She has swept 10 career wins including 2 majors: the 2016 Women’s British Open and the 2018 U.S. Open. However, she has been ‘winless’ since winning the 2018 Scottish Women’s Open. Last year, she played in 13 tournaments but missed the cut 3 times and dropped to 32nd in the money rankings, bruising her pride. However, her late-season recovery with a tie for 9th at the U.S. Women’s Open and a tie for 10th at the CME Group Tour Championship is hopeful.

Lydia Ko (New Zealand), once called a ‘golf prodigy’, is also showing signs of a slump. Since her 15th career win at the 2018 Mediheal Championship, she has not won a trophy. Last year, she entered the ‘Top 10’ five times, raising expectations for her performance this year. Lexi Thompson, the ‘pride of America’ with 11 LPGA Tour wins, Brooke Henderson (Canada) with 9 wins, Minjee Lee (Australia) with 5 wins, and Jessica Korda (USA) are also players eager for victory.