[At Clubhouse] '1000 Round' Hong Ran "Haha, a day like this comes too"

Record-breaking longest consecutive season seed, most games played, most cuts made, strong supporters parents and Samchully Group, strict self-management "Next goal is 1100 rounds"

Hong Ran has surpassed 1,000 rounds through meticulous self-management over 17 years on the KLPGA Tour. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "It was the busiest time."

This is what veteran Hong Ran (35, Samchully), who has played 1000 rounds on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, said. On the 18th of last month, she reached 1000 rounds during the second round of the Korea Women's Open held at Rainbow Hills Golf Club in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk. To commemorate this unprecedented milestone and express gratitude to acquaintances, she produced 100 boxes of golf balls, 500 tumblers, and 200 towels. Smiling brightly, she said, "When else would I get to do something like this? I prepared it happily."

▲ "I never thought I would play this long" = Hong Ran debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2005 and has won a total of four times. She has maintained consistency by never losing her tour card for 17 years. She is the only domestic female player to have played 1000 rounds, a 'living legend.' She also holds various records such as the longest consecutive seasons maintaining her card (17 seasons), most tournament appearances (342), and most cuts made (280). Her total career earnings amount to 2,325,689,044 KRW.

Hong Ran, who said "I never imagined 1000 rounds," humbly stated, "At that time, players' careers were not long," and added, "It is a blessing to be able to play like this now." She cited her loss to Baek Gyu-jeong (26) in a playoff at the 2014 KLPGA Championship as the secret to her longevity. "If I had won in my late 20s and received a 4-year tour card, I might have settled there," she explained, "But because I missed that win, the current Hong Ran exists."

Hong Ran created golf balls and tumblers to commemorate surpassing 1000 rounds on the KLPGA Tour.

▲ ‘Reliable supporter’ = She started golf at age 12, and it took seven years to become a professional. Her initial dream was modest: to retire in her late 20s and live an ordinary life. However, she grew to enjoy golf. Her parents actively supported her. "The reason I could play 1000 rounds is because my parents helped me from a young age to be able to do things on my own," she said, expressing gratitude for their unwavering trust even now.

In 2013, Hong Ran met Samchully, a comprehensive energy group. As a key figure in the founding of the Samchully Sports Team, she entered her 'second prime.' To facilitate travel to tournaments, she received support from the affiliate Samchully Motors in the form of a BMW X6. Above all, Chairman Lee Man-deuk showed great interest. "When my putting was problematic, he even made appointments at a specialized eye hospital," Hong Ran said, smiling, "We signed a contract with the condition that I would play on the tour until age 35, and I feel proud to have achieved that goal."

Hong Ran is smiling brightly at the celebration ceremony for surpassing 1000 rounds on the KLPGA Tour. Photo by KLPGA

▲ ‘Icon of diligence’ = She focused solely on golf and devoted herself to physical conditioning. She built a foundation through systematic weight training and paid attention to maintaining muscle balance. This has been the driving force behind her injury-free active career. "I gave up things that could only be done in my teens and twenties," Hong Ran said, "To gain something big, you have to give up something else. I think I gained something great because I gave up a lot."

This time, as the record was made together with the KLPGA, she donated 10 million KRW to the development fund. "Giving is better than receiving," she said, "I think that feeling has returned to me as a warm gift." Her love for golf will continue. "Rather than expecting a record too far ahead, I will focus on what’s right in front of me," Hong Ran said, "First, I will aim for 1100 rounds and challenge myself," she vowed, "I will create a path that juniors can follow."