Former KIA Ace Yoon Seok-min: "I Will Join KPGA Professionals"

Passed Joint 20th in 1st KPGA Pro Qualifier
Former Right-Handed Pitcher with 77 Wins in KBO League
'6 Attempts 7 Successes' "Happier Than My First Win"

Yoon Seok-min, who was a representative right-handed ace in Korean professional baseball, succeeded on his "6th attempt in 7 tries."

Yoon Seok-min is teeing off as a recommended player at the 2022 KPGA Tour SK Telecom Open.
[Photo by KPGA]

From the 23rd over two days, he earned professional (associate member) status by finishing tied for 20th place (6 over par 148) in Group A of the 1st KPGA Professional Qualifying Tournament held at Solago CC in Taean, Chungnam (par 71, 7,178 yards). He had entered the professional qualifying tournament six times from 2020 to 2022 but never passed, and this time, on his seventh attempt, he obtained his professional license. He said with a bright smile, "I'm happier than when I got my first win after debuting in professional baseball." He added, "This was actually my last challenge. I'm happy to have achieved such a dream-like result." He continued, "Because I played without pressure and comfortably, I was less nervous. Of course, I will join the KPGA as a professional," sharing his thoughts.

Yoon Seok-min played for the KIA Tigers in professional baseball from 2005, achieving a total of 77 wins in the KBO League. As an amateur, he participated twice in the KPGA Tour. He appeared as a recommended player in the 2021 Bizplay Electronic Newspaper Open and the 2022 SK Telecom Open. He said, "After retiring four years ago, I found a new vitality in life through golf and set a goal to become a KPGA professional." He also pledged, "Recently, I have been active in broadcasting as a baseball commentator, and I will work hard to promote the KPGA as well."

This year’s 1st KPGA Professional Qualifying Tournament finals featured a total of 242 players who passed regional qualifiers or were exempt from preliminaries. The tournament was divided into Group A (121 players) and Group B (121 players). The top 25 players from each group, totaling 50, will be selected as KPGA professionals. Group B will be held from the 25th to the 26th.