'Rookie of the Year' Kim Minbyeol: "Next Year, I Want to Erase the Flaw of Not Winning"

3 Runner-up Finishes in 29 Tournaments
12 Times in the 'Top 10'
3rd Place in Grand Prize · 6th in Prize Money Ranking
"I Want to Be Like Sister Lee Yewon"

The ‘final winner’ was Kim Min-byeol. She emerged as the best rookie in the 2023 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, which was filled with ‘super rookies.’ In an interview with Asia Economy on the 1st, Kim Min-byeol said honestly, "It was a season where I learned and felt a lot," adding, "I am happy to have won the Rookie of the Year, but I also feel regret for not winning a tournament." She continued with a bright smile, "Next year, I want to win a tournament that I couldn’t this year," and "I hope to follow the path of unni (older sister) Lee Ye-won."

Kim Min-byeol, who was crowned the best rookie of this year's KLPGA Tour, expressed her bold ambition, saying, "I will challenge myself to become the multiple-win champion next year."

Kim Min-byeol is a ‘super rookie.’ She was selected for the junior national team in the 6th grade of elementary school and won 20 times during her amateur career. She turned professional in October last year, passed the full membership selection, and confidently topped the qualifying tournament. Her performance this year was also outstanding. She participated in 29 tournaments, consistently entering the ‘Top 10’ twelve times, including three runner-up finishes. She ranks first in rookie points (2,969 points), third in the overall points (516 points), and sixth in the prize money ranking (745.75 million KRW). However, not having collected a winner’s trophy is a ‘blemish.’

She couldn’t overcome the final hurdle. She finished as runner-up in the DB Group 37th Korea Women’s Open in June, the Daeyu Winia·MBN Women’s Open in July, and the KB Financial Star Championship in September. Meanwhile, Bang Shin-sil, who competed in the Rookie of the Year race, secured two wins (E1 Charity Open, Dongbu Construction·Korea Land Trust Championship), and Hwang Yu-min won one (Daeyu Winia·MBN Women’s Open). Kim Min-byeol reflected, "I was envious of my friends’ wins," but also admitted, "Technically, my short game and putting were lacking."

Kim Min-byeol rated her KLPGA Tour debut season as 85 points. She said, "I had no wins and overall there were shortcomings. It’s regrettable that I couldn’t seize the winning opportunities. That’s why I want to give myself 85 points," evaluating herself objectively. She recalled, "It was my first experience on the regular tour, so there were many moments of nervousness and tension. If I hadn’t collapsed while playing my game, I could have won." She is a player with both power and precision. Her driver and iron shots are outstanding. This year, her average driving distance was 248.55 yards (11th), and her greens in regulation rate was 72.47% (14th). She emphasized, "My favorite club is the iron," and "I am confident in my iron shots."

‘Rookie of the Year’ Kim Min-byeol (right) is smiling brightly with ‘Money Leader’ Lee Ye-won after the 2023 KLPGA Awards Ceremony. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Min-byeol’s goal for next year is to win a tournament. She expressed confidence, saying, "If I break the ice with my first win, I think I can achieve good results." She especially paid attention to the achievements of senior Lee Ye-won. Lee Ye-won won the Rookie of the Year last year without a win and swept three victories this year, including one major. She ranked first in prize money (1.42482 billion KRW), overall points (651 points), and average score (70.71 strokes). Kim Min-byeol said, "Unni was really sharp. After receiving the Rookie of the Year without a win, she immediately achieved good results. I only think I have to work hard next year," showing her determination.

Kim Min-byeol admires Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), a leading star of the PGA Tour, and Kim Hyo-joo, who has accumulated six wins on the LPGA Tour. She wants to emulate their play. About McIlroy, she said, "He is my favorite. He is cool, his swing is perfect, and his style is great." Regarding Kim Hyo-joo, she expressed respect, saying, "Pro has her own golf style. It’s nice to see her enjoying the field. It’s impressive how she plays comfortably even in tense situations."

Although the season has ended, she is focusing on training. She will participate in the Simone Asia-Pacific Cup, a national team competition held for three days from the 21st at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta, Indonesia. Kim Min-byeol revealed, "I train in Yongin during weekdays and in Chuncheon on weekends," and "After this tournament, I plan to travel to Japan with my family."

Kim Min-byeol plans to improve his short game and putting skills during next year's training camp in the United States.

Kim Min-byeol will leave for a training camp in Palm Springs, California, USA, in mid-January next year. She is scheduled to return at the end of February. She said, "I need to improve my short game and putting. I plan to focus on shots within 100 meters. I will also devote a lot of time to putting." Kim Min-byeol has set high goals. Not just one win, but the ‘multiple wins champion.’ She smiled and said, "I want to win individual titles at least once while playing golf. Since I played steadily this year, I want to be the multiple wins champion next year," adding, "If I become the multiple wins champion, the overall points and prize money titles will also be within reach."