"Same-age players Jo Ah-yeon, Lim Hee-jung, and Park Hyun-kyung thrive, first win in 3 years at E1 Charity Open: 'I will be a consistent player'"
Jung Yoon-ji is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the E1 Charity Open. Photo by KLPGA
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I congratulated my peers when they won, but...".
A friend's success is a motivator. Jeong Yoon-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) of the "Year of the Dragon Club" collected a winning trophy three years after debuting on the 2020 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. She shed tears right after winning the E1 Charity Open (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at South Springs Golf Club in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 29th, after a fifth playoff. She honestly said, "I congratulated my national team peers when they kept winning, but it was mentally tough."
Jeong Yoon-ji is the player who wore the Taegeuk mark along with Lim Hee-jeong (22, Korea Land & Housing Trust) and Yoo Hae-ran (21, Daol Financial Group) at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and won a silver medal in the women's team event. She entered the professional stage with high expectations but only finished as runner-up twice. She watched her peers born in 2000, Lim Hee-jeong, Cho Ah-yeon (Dongbu Construction), and Park Hyun-kyung (Korea Land & Housing Trust), win and felt frustrated. Below is a Q&A with Jeong Yoon-ji.
- You won after a playoff battle. How do you feel?
▲ I was very nervous going into the playoff. Still, I’m happy to finish with a win.
- Were you envious watching your friends win?
▲ I wasn’t jealous of their wins. I sincerely congratulated them. But I often had negative and discouraged thoughts like, ‘When will I win?’ and ‘Can I do it too?’
- How did you overcome that?
▲ I took walks alone to organize my thoughts. I ate delicious food and recharged. I also enjoy solo ‘hotel vacations’ (hokangs).
- You achieved your first victory. What is your next goal?
▲ I want to be a golfer who consistently ranks in the top, not one who disappears after winning. I want to advance to the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, become world No. 1, and compete in the Olympics.
- What is your mindset going into the next tournament?
▲ I’ve often seen players win and then fail to pass qualifiers. I want to be a player who keeps rising.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
