[Akyeong's Perspective] The Disappearing Barefoot Spirit: Time to Rise Again

A Silent Major Season... The Shaken Pride of a Golf Powerhouse
Weakened 'Mental Strength' and 'Perseverance'... What Is Needed Now Is 'Desperation'

Kwangho Lee, Head of Culture and Sports Team

The final major tournament of this year’s LPGA Tour, the AIG Women’s Open, ended with disappointment. Kim A Lim showed promise as she competed for the lead at one point, but ultimately finished in fourth place, falling short of the championship. Even in the last major, where hopes were high, a Korean victory did not materialize, and Korean women’s golf had to swallow disappointment once again. The silence on the major stage this season carries significance beyond mere results. It is a symbolic indication that the status of Korean women’s golf is wavering.

In fact, the signs had already appeared. At the previously held Amundi Evian Championship, not a single Korean player made it into the top ten. Since the tournament’s inception in 2001, this is the first time that no Korean has finished in the top ten. Considering the era when the “Korean Sisters” dominated the LPGA Tour and led the world stage, this is a result that is hard to believe.

Until now, Korean players have demonstrated a strong presence at major tournaments. Starting with Pak Se Ri, stars such as Park Inbee, Chun In Gee, Kim Sei Young, Ryu So Yeon, and Ko Jin Young have not only won championships but have also consistently placed near the top, excelling on the global stage. However, this year the atmosphere has changed entirely. From the first major of the season, the Chevron Championship, to the US Women’s Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the Evian Championship, and the AIG Women’s Open, not a single victory was achieved.

The problem is that this slump does not appear to be a temporary phenomenon. Rather than simply being an unlucky year, an overall decline in competitiveness has become evident. The absence of new star players, the stagnation of established champions, and the inconsistency of individual athletes have all combined to diminish the status of the Korean Sisters.

The global stage is rapidly evolving. Young players from the United States, Thailand, Japan, China, France, and other countries are emerging, and the overall level of skill, physical conditioning, and mental training is rising. There are doubts as to whether Korea is responding adequately to these changes. Coaches unanimously point out, “The technical skills are sufficient, but the sense of urgency and focus are not what they used to be.” The popularization of golf and the expansion of youth development systems are certainly positive changes, but there is a growing assessment that “mental strength” and “perseverance” have faded. Pak Se Ri’s barefoot determination was more than just an anecdote; it was a symbol of the Korean golf spirit. What is needed now is precisely that sense of desperation.

Structural issues must also be addressed. The decrease in veteran players with international experience has naturally led to a decline in global adaptability. As the preference for stable domestic careers grows stronger over the drive to challenge the world stage, the gap with the global elite continues to widen. Of course, the stability of domestic play is an advantage, but there are clear limits to reaching the top of the world.

The perspective of fans is also changing. In the past, mere name recognition was enough to draw cheers, but now, cool-headed evaluations follow. Fans who once anticipated hearing the national anthem on the world stage now find themselves reminiscing, saying, “Those were the days.” It is no longer an era where the name “Korean women’s golf” alone can attract attention.

This season’s struggles at the majors do not simply reflect results; they raise the question, “Why have we grown weaker?” It is time to rebuild technical skills, physical conditioning, mental strength, strategy, and above all, desire. Honor lies in the past, but opportunity is here and now. Korean women’s golf is already a brand with a proud history and tradition as the world’s best. To shine that name once again, now is the time to rise and run forward.