Bang Sinshil Challenges the LPGA: "Playing in the U.S. Has Always Been My Dream"

Competing in the LPGA Final Qualifying Stage
Top 25 out of 116 to Earn Full Tour Cards Next Year
Three Wins and Two Runner-up Finishes on the Domestic Tour This Season

Power hitter Bang Sinshil is stepping onto a bigger stage.

From December 4 (local time), Bang will compete in the LPGA Final Qualifying (Q) Stage, held over five days at Magnolia Grove Golf Course in Mobile, Alabama, United States. A total of 116 players will participate, playing 90 holes of stroke play. The top 25 finishers will earn eligibility to play on the LPGA Tour for the 2026 season.

Bang Sinshil will compete in the LPGA Q-Series Final Stage, aiming for a full exemption. Provided by KLPGA

Bang Sinshil debuted on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2023 and has since achieved a total of five career victories. This year, she recorded three wins and two runner-up finishes on the KLPGA Tour. She ranks third in Player of the Year points (510 points) and scoring average (70.16 strokes), and fourth on the money list (1,146,930,000 won). With an impressive average driving distance of 258.75 yards (second place), she has dominated the tour.

Bang Sinshil’s ultimate goal is to join the LPGA Tour. She also competed in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a major tournament, in June. At the time, she said, “Regardless of the result, I learned a lot by competing with world-class players. Returning to Korea, I gained more composure and confidence.” Bang added, “Since I started playing golf, my dream has been to join the LPGA Tour. I want to become world No. 1, enter the Hall of Fame, and someday win an Olympic gold medal.”

In addition to Bang Sinshil, other Korean players are also aiming for full LPGA Tour status, including Lee Dong-eun, who leads the KLPGA Tour in driving distance this season (261.1 yards); Lee Jeongeun6, winner of the 2019 US Women’s Open, as well as Jang Hyojun, Joo Subin, Annie Kim, Shin Bi, and Yoon Mina.