[Newstart New Challenge] Jang Yubin "Expect a Changed Appearance in May"

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The year 2025 is the Year of the ‘Blue Snake.’ It is also called the Year of the ‘Cheongsa (靑蛇).’ The snake symbolizes wisdom, change, and leap. Due to its characteristic of shedding its skin, it signifies a new beginning. This year, too, there are golfers who do not settle in one place but look toward higher goals. Some players are heading beyond Korea to the United States, Japan, and other parts of Asia. This is the determination of players aiming to reach the top in the Year of Eulsa.

Jang Yu-bin expressed his determination to showcase the strength of Korean men's golf on the new stage of LIV Golf. Photo by KPGA

There is a golfer who had the busiest last month. He is Jang Yu-bin, known as the ‘Hope of Korean Men’s Golf.’ As the recipient of the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour Player of the Year award, he was scheduled to participate in the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) held last month at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA. However, he changed his mind. He gave up the last hurdle to enter the dream stage and made a sudden turn to LIV Golf. Jang Yu-bin explained, "I think many people were surprised by the sudden news. I have been working hard toward my dream of entering the PGA Tour, but after much consideration, I decided to take on a new challenge with LIV Golf."

Jang Yu-bin (left) won the gold medal in the team event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games alongside Jo Woo-young, Im Sung-jae, and Kim Si-woo. Photo by Yonhap News

Jang Yu-bin is the ‘Young Gun of Korean Men’s Golf.’ Born in 2002, he won a gold medal in the men’s team event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. He has recorded three wins on the KPGA Tour, including back-to-back victories at the Gunsan CC Open in 2023 and 2024. His powerful long drives, stemming from his height of 184 cm, are his strength. Last year, besides earning the Player of the Year points (8,002 points) and prize money (1.12905 billion KRW), he also won awards for lowest scoring average (69.41 strokes), top 10 finishes (11 times), longest drive (311.35 yards), and most improved player. He became the first KPGA Tour player to achieve six major awards in one season.

Jang Yubin is smiling brightly after receiving the 2024 Genesis Award. Photo by KPGA

LIV Golf did not overlook the promising Jang Yu-bin. On the 11th of last month, they officially announced his entry into LIV Golf. He became the first Korean player to join LIV Golf. Jang Yu-bin said, "I officially received the offer in mid-November last year. I started to consider all possibilities with an open mind." He added, "The biggest reason I decided to join LIV Golf is the opportunity to compete directly with world-class players starting next year. The enormous prize money also played a part," he candidly revealed.

This year, Jang Yu-bin will compete as a member of the Iron Head team. The team includes Korean-American Kevin Na (USA), Danny Lee (New Zealand), and Jinichiro Kozuma (Japan). He said, "Last month, I played alongside Kevin Na and Danny Lee at the Saudi International tournament. Their skills were all outstanding, and the atmosphere throughout the play was great." He added, "Since this is my first year in LIV Golf, I think if I adapt well, we can achieve excellent team results."

Jang Yu-bin said she looks forward to competing with the world's best players at LIV Golf. Photo by KPGA

He also expressed his expectations for LIV Golf. The league features major champions and global star players such as Jon Rahm (Spain), Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson (all USA), and Cameron Smith (Australia). Jang Yu-bin said, "It is true that there are fears and worries in the process of finding a new path," but he confidently stated, "I don’t think there is only one way to become the world’s best player."

He is thoroughly preparing to adapt to LIV Golf. With the help of his management company, All That Sports, he is aiming for success on the new stage. On the 4th, he departed for Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. There, he had a meal with Kevin Na and Nam Young-woo. On the 10th, he will move to Palm Springs, California, the training site for the Iron Head team. He is preparing for the first LIV Golf tournament, the Riyadh event, which will be held over three days starting February 6 in Saudi Arabia.

Jang Yu-bin is active this year in LIV Golf as a member of the Iron Heads team, captained by Kevin Na (Photo by Kevin Na). Reuters·Yonhap News

LIV Golf will hold 14 tournaments this year. From May 2 to 4, LIV Golf Korea will be held at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course in Songdo, Incheon. This is the first LIV Golf tournament to be held in Korea. Jang Yu-bin said, "I will show great performances even after joining LIV Golf. I want to greet everyone again with my best form at the Korean tournament in May." He added, "The LIV Golf league will end in August. From September, I plan to participate in the Asian Tour International Series and the KPGA Tour as well."

Jang Yubin achieved back-to-back victories last year at the KPGA Tour Gunsan CC Open. Photo by KPGA

Jang Yu-bin’s ultimate dream is to play on the top stage, the PGA Tour. Currently, LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are undergoing a merger process. If the relationship between the two organizations improves, more diverse paths may open up. "I have not given up on my dream of the PGA Tour. If the opportunity arises someday, I want to compete on the PGA Tour as well. I am excited and looking forward to this new challenge. I ask for your support."