'19-Year-Old Sensation' Kim Minsol: "I Want to Emulate Three Professional Golfers"

Cheered for KLPGA Tour Victory as a Recommended Player
Started Golf at the Suggestion of Her Uncle, a Former National Track Cycling Athlete
Combines Powerful Long Drives with Clutch Putting Skills
"I Will Become the Best in the World by Enjoying My Golf"

"I admire professionals like Inbee Park, Jiyoung Ko, and Lydia Ko."

This is what 19-year-old rising star Kim Minsol, who is attracting attention on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, said. In an interview with Asia Economy on August 28, she shared, "I like Inbee Park's calm and steady play, as well as her outstanding putting skills. Jiyoung Ko is a player with a strong mentality. I want to emulate her competitive spirit." She continued, "Lydia Ko stands out for her flexible play and strategic approach on the course. I want to learn the strengths of all three players."

Minsol Kim stated that she wants to resemble the strengths of the world’s top players Inbee Park, Jiyoung Ko, and Lydia Ko. Photo by KLPGA

Kim Minsol, who has won four times on the Dream (second division) Tour this year, drew attention last week by winning the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup at Pocheon Hills Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. She made a splash as a recommended player. On the first day of the tournament, she shot a 10-under-par 62, setting a new course record, and on the final day, she sank a 10.5-meter eagle putt on the 18th hole (par 5) to secure her first career victory. "I still can't believe I won, as it was so unexpected," she said, adding, "I want to perform well in the remaining regular tour tournaments this season."

It was a wire-to-wire victory, with Kim maintaining her lead on the leaderboard for all three days. She also took home 270 million won in prize money. The last time a recommended or invited player won on the KLPGA Tour was about three years ago, when Kim A Lim won the 44th KLPGA Championship sponsored by Chris F&C in 2022 as an invited player. As for recommended players, Kim Minsol is the first KLPGA Tour champion in six years since Hae Ran Ryu won the Jeju Samdasoo Masters in 2019.

Kim Minsol, who appeared as a recommended player, is receiving congratulations from her teammates after winning the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup. Photo by KLPGA

Kim Minsol is a former ace of the national amateur team. She started playing golf in the fourth grade of elementary school at the suggestion of her uncle, Kim Bohyun, who was a former national track cycling athlete. Kim Minsol shared, "My father, Kim Jaehyun, suggested I become a player, saying I had a good physique and a calm personality that suited golf well."

She has been on a roll since her junior days, reaching as high as No. 2 in the amateur world rankings. She claimed victories at major tournaments such as the Jeju Governor's Cup, Blueone Cup, Songam Cup, and the National Sports Festival. She also contributed to the team's victory at the 2023 World Amateur Team Championship and helped win a silver medal in the team event at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

She turned professional in July last year. She had already attracted attention as a promising player, finishing tied for 10th at the BMW Ladies Championship on the LPGA Tour held in Korea in 2022, and as runner-up at the Kyochon Ladies Open on the KLPGA Tour last year.

Last year, however, she faced setbacks. She finished 83rd in the KLPGA Tour seed ranking finals, which is why she started her professional debut season in the second division. "Until last year, I had grown steadily in golf without major difficulties, but for the first time, I felt things weren't going my way," she recalled. "I also struggled on the Dream Tour in the second half of last year. My condition wasn't good, and I ended up dropping down," she explained.

Standing at 178 cm tall, Kim is known for her powerful long drives, averaging 250 meters, with a maximum distance of 265 meters measured by machine. She considers putting her greatest weapon. Switching to a center-shafted putter proved to be the right move, as she made the change before her fourth Dream Tour victory last month. "My putting has been working well since last week's Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship," she said with a big smile, "and putting itself has become fun."

Kim Minsol, a powerful long hitter, said putting is what she is most confident in. Photo by KLPGA

With this latest victory, Kim Minsol has effectively graduated early from the second division tour. She will compete in the major KB Financial Star Championship, which will be held at Blackstone Icheon in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, starting September 4. Despite her busy schedule, she is training at the Riviera Country Club practice facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. "I'm so happy to finally play on the first division tour, which has always been my dream. Right now, I'm focused on gaining experience," Kim said modestly, "I'm still lacking in many areas. Rather than aiming for a specific number of wins, I want to work hard, learn more, and grow as a player."

Kim Minsol finds happiness in playing golf. "I'm trying to play golf for enjoyment, and I think that's the secret to winning sooner than I expected," she said with a smile. She is dreaming big: her goal is to compete on the LPGA Tour, where the world's best players go head-to-head. "As a golfer, I want to become a world-class player. Someday, I will challenge the LPGA Tour. I also want to inspire many people and become a player who can offer even a little bit of help to others."

Minsol Kim expressed her ambition to become the best in the world after growing through the domestic tour. Photo by KLPGA