[Newstart New Challenge] 'Little Im Sungjae' Moon Donghyun "I Learned a Lot Playing with the Pros"

Secured Full KPGA Tour Card with Tied 5th at QT Final
Played with Im Sungjae at Last Year’s Woori Financial Championship
Runner-up Memories: "This Year, I Aim for the Myeongchulsang Award"

"I want to win the ‘Myeongchulsang (Rookie of the Year Award)’ that only rookies can challenge for." This is the determination of Moon Dong-hyun, who is debuting on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour this year. After completing his training camp in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, California, USA on the 25th of last month and returning home, he said, "Since it is my debut season, I want to make a successful start" and "I want to leave a good impression on golf fans." He will make his official debut at the KPGA Tour opening event, the DB Insurance Promy Open, held at La Vie Belle CC in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on the 17th of next month.

'Little Im Sung-jae' Moon Dong-hyun is dreaming of advancing to the United States after dominating the domestic stage. Photo by Brion Company

Moon Dong-hyun was born in April 2006. He boasts an impressive physique of 179 cm and 95 kg. He is a player who followed an elite course. He lifted the winner's cup at the 2022 Dream Park Amateur Golf Championship and the Blue One Korean Junior Golf Championship. Afterwards, in 2023, he was selected as a national representative and wore the Taegeuk mark while competing on the field.

He has competitive skills. From his amateur days, he received invitations to the KPGA Tour and participated. He played in four tournaments in 2023 and two tournaments last year. Notably, he left a strong impression by finishing as runner-up at the Woori Financial Championship held at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province in April last year. On the final day, he shot a 6-under-par 66, pressuring ‘PGA member’ Im Sung-jae, who won by just one stroke. Through this connection, he signed a sponsorship contract with Woori Financial Group. He recalled, "I learned a lot by watching Pro Im Sung-jae play."

Moon Dong-hyun is a rookie known for his long drives exceeding 300 yards and precise iron shots. Photo by Brion Company

His process of turning professional was also smooth. In June last year, he passed the 2024 KPGA Tour Pro (full member) selection test in first place. In November of the same year, he secured a full season card by finishing tied for 5th at the KPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (QT) Final. Moon Dong-hyun boasts a long drive exceeding 300 yards and precise iron shots. His putting is also decent. He is evaluated as having enough potential to succeed on the professional stage.

During the off-season, Moon Dong-hyun focused on his short game. He said, "I prepared to adapt well to the tour course settings, which are different from the courses I played as an amateur," and "I also focused on shot-making training." He also expressed his determination to achieve his first win as a rookie. He said, "I want to challenge for my first victory at the Woori Financial Championship, where I was runner-up last year," and "I will use the good memories as a stepping stone to show impressive play."