Taeguk Nangja "What Is the Reason for This Year's JLPGA Tour Slump?"

Shin Ji-ae Alone with 4 Wins "Fighting Solo", 'Tokyo Olympics Silver' Inami Dominates with 9 Wins, Rapid Growth of Japan's Millennium Generation, Korea Suffers from COVID-19 "Homesickness"

Shin Ji-ae is the only Taegeuk lady who collected a winner's trophy in the JLPGA Tour 2020/2021 season.

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae Noh] "Only 4 wins in 52 tournaments."

This is the number of trophies South Korea collected in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour 2020/2021 season. The Taegeuk ladies, who had dominated the Japanese stage, managed to reach the top only four times. And that joy was experienced only by Shin Ji-ae (33). Due to the large number of tournament cancellations caused by COVID-19 last year, the season was combined through this year. Although there were as many as 52 tournaments, including 14 last year and 38 this year, Korean players suffered from a drought in victories.

The overwhelming dominance of Inami Mone (Japan), the silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, suppressed their momentum. Inami, who had been relatively quiet with one win each in 2019 and last year, swept an incredible 8 wins this year. She conquered the JLPGA Tour with 9 wins in 45 tournaments during the combined season. She ranked first in all categories including prize money (?255,192,049), average score (70.0514), and top 10 finishes (25 times). The Mercedes ranking, which is equivalent to the points for the Player of the Year, was only second (3841.60 points).

'9-win champion' Inami Mone (left) and '6-win champion' Furue Ayaka are smiling brightly while holding bouquets after receiving the 'Prize Queen' and Grand Prize, respectively.

The ‘Millennium generation’ storm was also fierce. Ayaka Furue and Yuna Nishimura (both Japan), born in 2000, and Yuka Saso (Philippines), born in 2001, showed outstanding skills. Furue, who debuted last year, made a remarkable achievement with 6 wins. She is first in the Mercedes ranking (3845.16 points), and second in prize money (?246,743,575), average score (70.3664), and top 10 finishes (22 times). Nishimura won 4 times, and Saso won 2 times, demonstrating the power of the ‘young blood.’

Japan experienced a generational change. Inami and Erika Hara (3 wins), born in 1999, ‘5-win champion’ Sakura Koiwai, Hinako Shibuno, and Minami Katsu (all 2 wins), Erika Kiguchi, and Momoko Osato (all 1 win, Japan) were born in 1998. South Korea is the strongest country with a total of 233 wins in the JLPGA Tour. Shin Ji-ae and An Seon-ju (34, both 28 wins), Jeon Mi-jeong (39, 25 wins), Lee Ji-hee (42, 23 wins), and Lee Bo-mi (33, 21 wins) all recorded more than 20 wins.

However, the past two years were plagued by ‘COVID-19 homesickness,’ and it was difficult to improve their performance. In fact, opportunities to meet family were virtually blocked. The routine of briefly returning home during the season to recharge energy was broken, causing difficulties in managing their condition. South Korea was satisfied with having seven players in the prize money ‘Top 50’: Shin Ji-ae ranked 6th, Bae Seon-woo (27) 16th, Jeon Mi-jeong 20th, Lee Min-young (29, Hanwha Q CELLS) 25th, Yoon Chae-young (34) 41st, Lee Na-ri (33) 48th, and Lee Ji-hee 49th.