Rookie Points Leader Sihyun Kim: "My Style Is McIlroy, My Mental Game Is Lydia Ko"

Two Runner-up Finishes in the First Half, Leading the Rookie of the Year Race
Rising Momentum Since the Celltrion Queens Masters in June
Aiming for Major Victory and Rookie of the Year in the Second Half
Plans to Join the LPGA Tour After Dominating the Domestic Stage

A quiet powerhouse. This phrase is often used to describe KLPGA Tour rookie Sihyun Kim. Having debuted on the KLPGA Tour this year, she has delivered an impressive performance. While she has yet to claim a victory, she has made the cut in 11 out of 15 tournaments she has entered, finishing as runner-up twice. She is currently leading the Rookie of the Year points race with 863 points, holding a 224-point lead over second-place Euna Song, who has 639 points.

In an interview with Asia Economy on August 8, Sihyun Kim said, "I don't even know how the first half went by," adding, "I've been gaining valuable experience since turning professional."

At 19 years old this year, she began playing golf at the age of 11. "A professional I met at the driving range encouraged me to pursue a career as a player, so I continued playing golf," she said with a smile. She stood out even as an amateur and was selected as a national team member last year, where she shined. She won the Queen Sirikit Cup Asia-Pacific Women's Amateur Golf Team Championship, took the team title and finished second individually at the Taiwan Amateur Golf Championship, and also claimed victory at the Dream Park Cup and Bear Creek Cup National Amateur Golf Championships.

Sihyun Kim is a promising player who debuted on the KLPGA Tour this year and is currently leading the rookie points. Photo by KLPGA

She adapted quickly to the professional stage as well. Last year, she competed in four KLPGA Jump Tour (third division) events, finishing runner-up three times. She then placed seventh in the finals of the regular tour seed ranking tournament in November, earning her a spot on the first division tour this year. Sihyun Kim said, "I think I made it to the first division tour without any major difficulties."

However, the first division tour was not easy. In the first three tournaments of the season in April, she missed the cut once and finished tied for 53rd and tied for 48th in the others. She confessed, "I didn't adapt well to the tour at first. Especially, the green speeds were fast, so it was hard to lower my score unless I attacked with more precision."

Si Hyun Kim struggled to adapt to the regular tour in the early season but has been writing a turnaround drama since June. Photo by KLPGA

Her fortunes changed starting in May. At her sponsor's tournament, the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, she recorded her first under-par round (1-under 215), proving her potential. In June, she finished runner-up in consecutive events at the Celltrion Queens Masters and the major DB Group 39th Korea Women's Open, gaining momentum. "At the Celltrion Queens Masters, I was able to show my full game. I experienced a playoff for the first time and finished as runner-up. It gave me the confidence that I can do well in the second half of the season."

Sihyun Kim is regarded as a player without any clear weaknesses. Her statistics are well-balanced: 32nd in scoring average (71.25), 17th in driving distance (246.24 yards), 36th in greens in regulation (73.03%), and 41st in average putts (29.96). Among these, her iron shots are her greatest strength. "My iron shots are pretty good. When I have about 100 meters left, I use a 48-degree wedge, and from that distance, I can confidently attack the green. The chances of creating a birdie opportunity are high, too."

After the first half of the season, she trained at Riviera Country Club in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, focusing on her short game and putting. She rated her first half performance as "6 out of 10." Sihyun Kim said, "I didn't create many chances to win, and I don't think I played to my satisfaction."

Si Hyun Kim aims to improve her short game and putting to challenge for a victory in the second half of the season. Photo by KLPGA

Her favorite player is her agency senior Yoonji Jung, who claimed her second career KLPGA victory at the Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Women's Open this year. "I really like her precise playing style. Watching her win made me like her even more, and she looked truly happy." Among international players, she picked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, currently ranked second in the men's world rankings, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand, ranked third in the women's world rankings, as her top choices. "McIlroy's dynamic play is impressive. He's a player who sticks to his own style." Regarding Lydia Ko, she said, "Her mental game is really strong, and her short game is outstanding. She knows when to attack and when to play conservatively. Her course management skills are also excellent."

The KLPGA Tour began its second half with the Jeju Samdasoo Masters, held at Cypress Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju, on August 7. Sihyun Kim said, "I really want to win in the second half," emphasizing, "I also want to win Rookie of the Year." She added, "It would be great to get my first win at the major Hite Jinro Championship, which is a particularly tough course. All the previous winners there have been top players."

Si Hyun Kim aims to enter the US market after dominating the domestic stage. Photo by KLPGA

Sihyun Kim dreams of challenging the U.S. stage after establishing herself domestically. She declared, "I do want to go to the U.S. If I'm ready, I want to compete there." She emphasized, "I want to be remembered as a player with a dynamic game and someone who takes good care of her juniors. Please look forward to my performance in the second half of the season as well."