Rookie Kim Minbyeol and Bang Sinshil: "We Are the Stars of the 20th Anniversary Tournament"

19-year-old peers Minbyeol Kim (left) and Sinshil Bang share bright smiles. On the 9th, at the photo call event for the final round of the 2023 KLPGA Tour, the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship (total prize money of 1 billion KRW) held at La Vie Belle Country Club Old Course (par 72, 6,844 yards) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, they playfully smeared a cake commemorating the 20th anniversary on their faces.

Minbyeol Kim has not won any tournaments this year but is leading the rookie points, effectively securing the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. Even just completing this tournament, which has no cut-off, guarantees the rookie award. Kim said, "I want to finish my last tournament as a rookie without regrets," adding, "Although I haven’t won yet, my shots and putting feel good right now, so I will aim for a victory."

Another newcomer, Sinshil Bang, has already secured two wins. She topped the leaderboard at the E1 Charity Open in May and the Dongbu Construction·Korea Land Trust Championship last month. She is currently third in rookie points. If she wins this tournament, she can become a co-leader in multiple wins alongside Ye-won Lee, Ji-young Park, and Jin-hee Lim. Bang smiled and said, "I missed out on Rookie of the Year, but since this is the last tournament, I want to finish strong." [Photo courtesy of KLPGA]