Kim Seong-hyun 'Conf Tour Entry', Im Sung-jae and Park Min-ji 'Again 2021', Bae Sang-moon and Kim Kyung-tae 'Revival GO', Ji Eun-hee 'Oldest Champion Challenge'
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Im In-nyeon (壬寅年) Black Tiger’.
2022 is the ‘Year of the Black Tiger.’ The tiger is known as the ‘king of animals’ and symbolizes strength. It is full of energy and vigor. Tigers have an honest and optimistic temperament and love to boldly challenge anything. They also have a strong competitive spirit, a trait essential for athletes. Those born in 1974, 1986, and 1998 are Tigers. It is the determined resolve of Tiger-born golf stars to "make 2022 our year."
Kim Seong-hyun (24, Shinhan Financial Group) will play in the U.S. this year. In November last year, he finished tied for 39th at the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) held at The Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia. By finishing within the top 40, he earned the right to participate in eight Korn Ferry Tour events. If he ranks high in the Korn Ferry Tour, he can earn a PGA Tour card for the next season.
Kim Seong-hyun is the player who caused a stir with his surprise victory at the Korean Tour major KPGA Championship in August 2020. When the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) was suspended due to COVID-19, he played on the Srixon Tour (second tier) and, after going through Monday qualifiers, finally reached the top. In July last year, he tasted his first victory since joining the JGTO in 2019 at the Japanese major PGA Championship. He added, "I will take it step by step."
PGA Shriners Champion Im Sung-jae (24) and KLPGA Tour No. 1 Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) were also born in 1998. They vowed, "We will make this the best season once again." Bae Sang-moon (36, Kiwoom Securities), born in 1986 and a Tiger, urgently needs to overcome his slump. After becoming the Korean Tour money leader in 2008 and 2009, he played in Japan before joining the PGA Tour in 2012. He won twice: the 2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship and the 2014 Price.com Open.
After enlisting in the military in November 2015 while still active, he returned to the PGA Tour in 2018 but has struggled since. His only win since then is on the second-tier tour. He lost his first-tier tour card last season and is focusing on the Korn Ferry Tour this year. Kim Kyung-tae (36, Shinhan Financial Group) is a star with 14 wins in Japan and 6 wins domestically. Last year, he had little presence, including testing positive for COVID-19. This season is a crucial time for his comeback.
Ji Eun-hee (36, Hanwha Q CELLS) demonstrates the power of a veteran on the U.S. LPGA Tour. She debuted in 2007 and has accumulated five career wins as the ‘eldest sister.’ In 2019, she won at the Diamond Resorts Tournament, becoming the oldest Korean player to win at 32 years, 7 months, and 18 days. Last year, she showed competitiveness by finishing tied for second at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. She maintains a relaxed attitude, saying, "I will enjoy my tour life."
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