Various Donation Activities Since 2023
Winning Domestic Tournaments After Competing Abroad
Making Happy Memories with Her Caddie Father
Aiming for Greater Challenges After Becoming the Best in Korea
Park Hyunkyung, who is active on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, is nicknamed "Cutiful." Not only is she skilled, but her ever-bright smile lights up those around her. Now, it seems she may gain another nickname: "Donation Angel."
For the past three years, Park Hyunkyung has consistently engaged in good deeds. In particular, after winning the E1 Charity Open in May this year, she made headlines by donating her entire prize money of 180 million won. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, she shyly smiled and said, "I was able to grow thanks to a lot of help I received," and added, "I wanted to give back as much as I have received."
Since debuting on the regular tour in 2019, Park Hyunkyung has achieved a total of eight career wins. This year, she has also recorded one victory and finished in the top 10 eight times. Since last year, she has steadily participated in overseas tournaments to further improve her skills. In May, she also competed in the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, a major event on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour.
She recalled, "I experienced incredibly fast green speeds. The speed was 4.15, which was something I had never encountered before," and added, "Although I like fast greens, that speed was astonishing. Fortunately, I finished in the top 10." She continued, "The course setup in Japan was truly excellent. Both the fairways and greens were in perfect condition, leaving no room for excuses. Even the practice facilities and player movement routes were satisfying," she said.
There is also an interesting pattern of winning domestic tournaments after competing abroad. Park Hyunkyung explained, "I also find it amazing. I think I learn a lot from playing overseas." In fact, two weeks after participating in the Salonpas Cup, she won the E1 Charity Open. She laughed and added, "A similar thing happened last year. After competing in the US Women’s Open in June, I won back-to-back at the BC Card-Hankyung Ladies Cup and the McCol-Mona Yongpyong Open."
Hyunkyung Park is caddied by her father Seesu Park, who is a former professional player. Photo by KLPGA
Park Hyunkyung's caddie is her father, Park Sesu. Mr. Park is a former golfer with professional tour experience, and the father-daughter duo demonstrates perfect teamwork on tour. Park Hyunkyung said, "He gives me great help with trouble shots and putting lines. People around us often say nice things since I travel with my dad." She added, "We are like friends. I am happy to be making good memories together."
Her interest in giving back was also greatly influenced by her father. She emphasized, "It's something my dad always stressed. Since I was young, I often heard that I got this far thanks to the help of good people." She continued, "There were many people who helped me during my junior days, and I was able to grow well thanks to them. I also want to share as much as I have received."
When asked about her performance in the first half of the season, she replied, "I would give myself 85 points." Park Hyunkyung honestly said, "I'm a little disappointed that I had fewer chances to compete for the win compared to last year." Her goals for the second half are to win a major and set a new personal record for most top 10 finishes. She said, "The KB Financial Star Championship and Hite Jinro Championship are coming up in September. Including the Salonpas Cup, I have finished in the top 10 a total of nine times this year. I want to add more to that record in the remaining tournaments."
Hyunkyung Park said she wants to be remembered as a good person rather than just a good player. Photo by KLPGA
She also clearly expressed her determination to compete overseas. She said, "If I get the chance, I want to play abroad," but added, "Before that, I want to achieve the goals I have set for myself on the domestic tour." She continued, "There are still many areas where I am lacking. I haven't won the prize money title or the Player of the Year title yet. I want to win those titles in Korea before taking on overseas challenges."
She plans to skip the first tournament of the second half, the "Aurora World Ladies Championship," which will be held in Jeju on the 31st, and will start competing again at the "Jeju Samdasoo Masters," which begins on August 7. She is currently training at Suwon Country Club in Gyeonggi Province. Park Hyunkyung said, "It feels like I'm even busier when there are no tournaments. There are events I have to attend, and managing my physical condition is also important. I am squeezing in workouts whenever I can," she shared.
Finally, Park Hyunkyung expressed her personal wish. "I want to be a player who shares love. It's nice to be remembered as a good athlete, but more than that, I want to be remembered as a good person."
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