[2021 New Start③] 'Youngest Korean Tour Champ' Kim Juhyung "Exploring the PGA Tour This Year"

Last year, youngest winner at 18 years 21 days at Gunsan CC Open, top-ranked player in world rankings competes in 4 events including PGA Championship, aiming to make a mark at American Express starting on the night of the 21st

'19-year-old young gun' Kim Joo-hyung will begin his PGA Tour campaign at the American Express, which opens on the night of the 21st.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Towards higher places."

The '19-year-old young gun' Kim Joo-hyung (CJ Logistics) became the youngest champion in Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) history (18 years and 21 days) last July at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open. He broke Lee Sang-hee’s record as the youngest winner (19 years, 6 months, and 10 days) set at the 2011 NH Nonghyup Open, and also shortened the shortest period after joining the Korean Tour held by Kim Kyung-tae (35) from 4 months and 3 days to 3 months and 17 days, cutting 109 days. Since then, he has been competing between the PGA Tour and other leagues, aiming for the world stage.

Kim Joo-hyung is the next-generation prospect who won the Asian (APGA) Tour Panasonic Open in November 2019 at just 17 years old. Born in Seoul, he moved to China at the age of two, and later lived in the Philippines, Australia, and Thailand. This explains his fluency in various languages including Chinese, English, and Thai. Interestingly, he learned Korean through TV dramas. Last year, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the APGA Tour was suspended, so he appeared on the domestic stage.

He demonstrated his potential by finishing runner-up at the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open, which he entered as a top-ranked player in the world rankings, and a week later, he avenged his loss by winning the KPGA Gunsan CC Open. This victory was especially a foothold for his entry into the PGA Tour. Rising to 92nd in the world rankings, he secured a ticket to the major PGA Championship in August and opened opportunities at the 2021 season opener Safeway Open, Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, and The CJ Cup.

Kim Juhyung became the youngest champion on the Korean Tour (18 years and 21 days old) last July at the KPGA Gunsan CC Open.

It is noteworthy that Kim Joo-hyung endured multiple two-week self-quarantines following COVID-19 prevention guidelines while traveling between the U.S. and Korea. He said, "The PGA Tour is a stage not just anyone can enter," and expressed his determination, "It will be a driving force to improve my performance." In fact, he is gradually adapting by gaining experience with tied 67th at the Safeway Open, tied 33rd at the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, and 64th at The CJ Cup.

It is surprising that the American Golf Channel recently selected him as one of the 'Top 10 Prospects' for 2021, despite not having a PGA Tour card. They explained, "He played four times last year including the PGA Championship," and "Although still a relatively unfamiliar name, he is a player with great potential." Kim Joo-hyung will start the 2021 season by competing in the American Express (total prize money $6.7 million), which opens on the night of the 21st at La Quinta Stadium Golf Club in California, USA.

This tournament is important. Unlike the previous Sony Open, many big stars such as Patrick Cantlay (USA) will participate, so it is necessary to firmly make an impression. Kim Joo-hyung also named his first goal this year as breaking into the 'Top 100 in the world rankings.' As of the 20th, he is ranked 154th, and maintaining a Top 100 position will increase the number of invitations. "I spent the first week of the new year in Goseong, Gyeongnam, reflecting on what I need," he said, raising expectations by adding, "I will definitely survive on the PGA Tour."