Choi Hye-jin and An Na-rin "Now It's Time to Challenge the US Stage"

LPGA Tour Q-Series Starting December 2, Grueling 8 Rounds 144 Holes, Securing a Tour Card by Finishing Within 45th Place

Hyejin Choi (left) and Narin Ahn are competing in the LPGA Tour Q-Series, aiming to secure their tour cards.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Challenge on the US stage."

Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) and An Na-rin (25, Munyoung Group) will challenge the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series held in Mobile, Alabama, USA, from the 2nd to the 12th of next month (Korean time). It is a grueling schedule of a total of 8 rounds and 144 holes, consisting of two consecutive 4-round 72-hole stroke plays. If they enter the ‘Top 45,’ they will earn the right to participate in the LPGA Tour next year. The higher the ranking, the more tournaments they can enter.

Choi Hye-jin is a flagship star who debuted on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2017 and has won a total of 10 victories, including 2 as an amateur. She swept both the Rookie of the Year and the Grand Prize in 2018, and in 2019, she dominated major individual titles such as multiple wins, prize money, the Grand Prize, and lowest score. Last year, she also enjoyed the glory of winning the Grand Prize for the third consecutive year. However, this year she finished without a title. Out of 28 tournaments, she placed in the ‘Top 10’ an impressive 11 times. She finished in the ‘Top 3’ four times but did not win.

Her strength lies in her ‘needle-like iron shots,’ as evidenced by her leading green hit rate (80.56%). She ranks 11th in prize money (541.7 million KRW), 9th in Grand Prize points (399 points), and 8th in average score (70.84 strokes). As a non-member, she has shown impressive performances on the LPGA Tour stage. In 2017, she participated in the major US Women’s Open as an amateur and finished as runner-up, and in February last year, she placed 2nd at the ISPS Handa Vic Open. She departed on the 23rd and has already started local adaptation training.

An Na-rin has won 2 titles on the KLPGA Tour. This year, she has placed in the ‘Top 10’ eleven times in 24 events and ranks 9th in prize money (601.86 million KRW). After winning the special event LF HAZZYS Point King Championship held at JNJ Golf Resort (par 72) in Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, on the 21st, she boarded the plane to the US in high spirits. She said, "I have thoroughly prepared for the LPGA Tour Q-Series," and expressed her determination, "Next year, even if it is not on the Korean stage, I will definitely show a good performance."