KLPGA Kang Yerin's Marriage and Last Month's Joyful Birth
Receiving Support from Cheonan City and Participating in Hometown Love Donation Program
Training in Thailand with Hard Work "Aiming for Multiple Wins This Year"
Even when he can't sleep or is exhausted from training, he can't help but smile.
This is the story of professional golfer couple Ham Jeong-woo. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 14th, Ham Jeong-woo said, "I have now become a dad golfer instead of just a couple golfer," and smiled brightly, "Just looking at my baby gives me strength." He added, "Having a second generation makes me feel a new sense of responsibility," and vowed, "I really need to train hard."
‘Pro golfer couple’ Ham Jeong-woo said, "I became a father last month," and expressed his ambition, "As the head of the family this year, I will definitely achieve multiple wins." [Photo by Castelbajac]
Ham Jeong-woo married Kang Ye-rin, born in 1994 and playing on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, in March last year. After six years of dating, they gained attention as a 'golf couple.' There has never been a record of a couple playing simultaneously on the domestic professional golf first division tour. Last month, Ham Jeong-woo welcomed a princess. Her name is Ham So-yul. Ham Jeong-woo proudly said, "She seems to resemble both her mom and dad evenly," and "Even if she keeps me from sleeping, she is so pretty." He said, "Until now, I trained for myself and my parents, but now I have to think about my wife and daughter as well. I will fulfill my role as the head of the family," and smiled, "I want to show a good image to my daughter. I also want to earn more money."
Ham Jeong-woo was a national team member for three years starting in 2013. He won the Rookie of the Year award on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour in 2018 and is a top-level golfer with two career wins: the 2019 SK Telecom Open and the 2021 Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational. Although he did not win last year, he finished runner-up at the August Bodyfriend Phantom Robo Gunsan CC Open and the October Genesis Championship, placing in the top 10 six times, ranking 11th in prize money (403.62 million KRW) and 4th in Genesis points (4632 points), performing well.
Ham Jeong-woo receives significant support from Kang Ye-rin, who is also a former golf player. He first met his wife on a practice green when she was in the second year of middle school, and they eventually became a couple. Kang Ye-rin, who was a national team reserve, ranked 23rd in prize money (179 million KRW) as a rookie in 2014. She played on both the regular tour and the Dream (second division) tour and passed the qualifying tournament in second place in 2020. Last year, she played on the first division tour only until September before going on maternity leave. Ham Jeong-woo said, "Competing in tournaments can be lonely and tough. My wife is considerate and doesn't bother me," and added, "If she weren't a player, we might have argued. She understands the emotions of a player well, and I am always grateful." Regarding his wife's return to the field, he said, "My wife is healthy after giving birth. We are still considering when she will return," and added, "For now, I want to spend time with the baby while she is young."
Kang Ye-rin played a 'big role' at the Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational. Ham Jeong-woo won the tournament using the putter his wife used. He revealed, "My wife's putter was lying around on the living room floor," and "She told me, 'Try taking this,' and I ended up winning." After this victory, he continued to use his wife's putter in the next tournament, the Genesis Championship, where he also performed well, finishing 4th. Ham Jeong-woo emphasized, "There is no perfect putter. Weight and length are not the most important," and said, "The best is just hitting it as you want and sinking the putt."
Ham Jeong-woo started playing golf in the 6th grade of elementary school. He first held a club at a golf practice range in an apartment shopping center. His parents initially opposed him becoming a player due to financial burdens. For Ham Jeong-woo, Cheonan City in Chungnam Province was a 'benefactor.' During his amateur days, Cheonan City actively supported the development of golf players. Promising players were supported to practice rounds for free at Cheonan Woojeong Hills. This was the foundation that made the current Ham Jeong-woo possible.
Ham Jeong-woo has a special love for his hometown Cheonan. In January, he participated in the hometown love donation system newly started by Cheonan City. He was the first athlete from the region to donate the annual limit of 5 million KRW. Ham Jeong-woo said, "I contributed a small token of gratitude for the love I received in Cheonan," and promised, "I will continue to show love for my hometown in various ways." He also held his wedding at a wedding hall in Cheonan.
Ham Jeong-woo is skilled with the driver, irons, and putter. His strongest point is the approach shot around the green. "I can always get it close from 20 yards," he said. Ham Jeong-woo is a humble type. He self-assessed, "I think I am a player with no strengths and no weaknesses." From early December last year to the end of January, Ham Jeong-woo trained in Thailand. He focused on increasing driver distance and did a lot of exercises to prevent injuries. He also continued practicing putting, which he considers a weakness.
Ham Jung-woo and Kang Ye-rin became a "pro golf couple" last year after dating for six years. [Photo by Ham Jung-woo]
Ham Jeong-woo has a positive mindset. Regarding criticisms such as "lack of winning trophies" and "weak finishing power," he has a different perspective. Ham Jeong-woo said, "Competing for wins means you are at the top level," and "Even if I don't win, consistently placing in the top ranks is a happy thing." He emphasized, "My experience so far will be a great strength," and said firmly, "I am confident that I will win someday." Ham Jeong-woo is determined to have a great season this year. He said, "This season is very exciting and my motivation is stronger," and smiled, "Seeing my daughter naturally gives me strength." Ham Jeong-woo expressed strong confidence, saying, "I want to win multiple times this season," and "I will make 2023 the year of Ham Jeong-woo."
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