[Interview] Shin Ji-ae: "Korean Golf Familiar with 'Winning Methods,' Need to Reflect on Yoon Ina Incident"

Korean Women's Golf 'Legend' Shin Ji-ae "Impressed by Japanese Rookie Players"
"Regret over Yoon Ina Incident"... Need to Increase 'Social Education' for Korean Golf Rookies
Remaining Goal: To Become a Player Who Presents the 'Right Direction'

Shin Ji-ae Photo by Shin Ji-ae

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] "Being called a ‘professional’ is not just about having great skills. You also need to have excellent character and dignity." This is the firm opinion of Shin Ji-ae (34) regarding the recent incident involving player Yoon Ina. She also pointed out problems in the domestic golf player development system. "Young players absolutely lack the time to receive the basic education they need at their age. I believe unfortunate incidents happen because they are exposed to society and the media without such opportunities."

Shin Ji-ae is the most decorated active Korean female golfer. She made a dazzling debut on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2005 by winning the SK Enclean Invitational at just 17 years old. To date, she has won 60 titles in major tournaments worldwide, making her an unrivaled ‘supreme’ figure. She was the first Korean player to reach world No. 1 and in 2008 became the first player to win all four major tours in a single year: the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA), KLPGA, and Ladies European Tour (LET).

Although she seems to have achieved everything as a player, her attitude toward tournaments remains exceptional. In a video interview conducted with Asia Economy in Japan, Shin Ji-ae shared that having experienced the stages of Korea, the U.S., and Japan, her goal is to be a player who ‘paves the way’ for juniors until the very end. She is currently challenging a new title as the first Korean player to become the money leader on the three women’s professional golf tours of Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

The Rapidly Changing JLPGA... "Young Players’ Growth is Amazing"

Shin Ji-ae Photo by Shin Ji-ae

At the peak of her skills in 2014, she suddenly moved her main stage to the JLPGA. She proved her value on the JLPGA stage by winning 4 tournaments that year and 3 the following year.

"At that time, there weren’t many young players showing outstanding performances in Japan like there are now," she said, evaluating that the JLPGA has noticeably changed over the past nine years. The so-called ‘golden generation’ born around 2000 is achieving remarkable results not only domestically in Japan but also on the LPGA Tour.

“When I see the young players in the JLPGA, it’s amazing. Nine players recorded their first wins this season alone. In the past, there was a clear gap between the top and bottom ranks, but recently, overall skills have leveled up and the player pool has deepened.”

Indeed, Japanese players’ performances on the LPGA have been remarkable recently. Ayaka Furue (22), who lifted the trophy at last month’s Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open, is a prime example. Minami Katsu (24) and Mao Saigo (21) are also players to watch. The winner of the recently concluded JLPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup was Haruka Kawasaki, who is just 19 years old.

She explained that the recent slump of Korean players on the JLPGA stage is closely related to the growth of young Japanese players. Korean female players, who combined for 34 wins in 2015-2016, managed only 4 wins on the JLPGA Tour over two years from 2020 to 2021. Interestingly, all 4 of those wins were by Shin Ji-ae herself.

She cited a system similar to Korea’s as the background for the growth of Japanese women’s golf. In Japan, too, young players who focus solely on golf from an early age and parents who passionately support them have emerged. “In the past, when you said ‘golf daddy,’ you naturally thought of Korean female players’ parents. That’s no longer the case. More and more parents in Japan are enthusiastically supporting their players. Through systematic and intensive training, skills are rapidly improving.”

Korea Familiar with ‘Winning Golf’ “Need More Social Education Opportunities”

Shin Ji-ae first picked up a golf club in the fifth grade of elementary school and quickly became a competitor. Perhaps because she learned golf in a challenging environment, her determination to win was stronger than anyone else’s. She climbed the 20-story apartment in front of the practice range seven times every day and repeatedly struck the sand mound at the practice range 20 times with an iron in special training. Her small hands became rough and tough. Still, she never once said she was ‘not good enough.’

Although harsh training made her a top-class player, she said it should not be everything. To truly become a ‘professional,’ dignity and awareness matching one’s skills are also important. “Korean players are thrown into a fiercely competitive world from their junior days and learn how to win. That training method is not necessarily bad. Through this process, players achieve results that surpass their abilities even in big tournaments.”

Therefore, she also felt sorry about player Yoon Ina’s ‘Ogu play incident’ that shook the Korean golf world this year. She believes the problem lies not only with the individual player but also with the system. "Young players absolutely lack the time to receive the basic education they need at their age. This includes how to build social relationships and basic moral education. I think unfortunate incidents happen because they are exposed to society and the media without such opportunities.”

She then emphasized the need to reconsider the meaning of ‘professional.’ "Professional literally means expert. I believe that being an expert in a field is not a title you get just by having good skills. You must also have excellent character and dignity, not just be good at golf.”

As an alternative, she suggested the LPGA’s ‘Rookie Camp.’ “Although it hasn’t been held for three years due to COVID-19, the LPGA holds a ‘Rookie Camp’ separate from the year-end rookie seminar. Rookie players debuting the following year experience behind-the-scenes roles at tournaments such as staff, cleaners, trainees, and course managers. Through this process, they accumulate the experience necessary as members of society. It left a very strong impression on me.”

Becoming a Golfer Who Thinks About the ‘Right Direction’ is the Final Goal

Shin Ji-ae Photo by Shin Ji-ae

Although she has made a mark in Korean golf history, she still has goals left. While being a ‘good golfer’ is great, she wants to remain a player who shows juniors the ‘right direction.’

“I was lucky to come this far thanks to the guidance of good people around me. They taught me generously not only the skills I needed as a golfer but also the manners and morals I needed as a member of society. I believe these are essential virtues for a player to have a long career. It’s the same for the golf world to move in the right direction. I want to be a role model.”

We asked if golf has become somewhat easier for her after hitting countless balls so far.

“Even after more than 15 years, it’s still difficult. The desire to aim for the pin, inner anxiety, and wavering mind?all of these must be controlled and endured to create my true play. Rather, the more I play golf, the more I realize and learn that mindset is important. It always troubles me, but I still love golf. Nothing makes me as passionate as golf does.”