Poor Results This Year, Retained Tour Card with Special Seed from the Association
Busy Winter After Opening Golf Academy in Yeoju
Aiming to Truly Enjoy the Tour Next Year Without Pressure
"I've been incredibly busy lately." Jang Suyeon, who has been competing on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour for 13 years, is experiencing her busiest winter yet. In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on December 4, she shared, "At the end of last month, I opened an academy in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. I am currently giving lessons to amateur golfers. I also approach these lessons with a learner's mindset and genuinely enjoy teaching."
After finishing the S-OIL Championship on November 2, she officially began preparations for the "Jang Suyeon Golf Academy." This marked her first step from being a professional golfer to becoming an instructor. The academy operates a system that combines screen golf and lessons for pure amateurs. Jang Suyeon explained, "When I was on tour, my swing theory wasn't well established, so I relied on strength alone, which led to many injuries. I want to provide lessons that allow amateur golfers to learn and enjoy golf without getting hurt."
Jang Suyeon, who received a special seed, said, "I want to enjoy playing golf next year." Provided by KLPGA
She has followed the typical elite path. As a former national team member, she stood out from her amateur days, winning the Korea Women's Amateur Championship, among other achievements. However, her exceptional talent sometimes worked against her. On the final day of the Hyundai Engineering & Construction Open in September 2010, she lost the championship due to the KLPGA's strict enforcement of the rules. Her father, acting as her caddie, inadvertently placed the caddie bag in the direction of her shot, resulting in a two-stroke penalty. She ultimately lost in a playoff against Lee Jeongeun5. Because of this, she also lost her direct ticket to the KLPGA Tour and had to go through the pro test and the second-tier tour before finally joining the regular tour in 2013.
As a professional, she built a successful career. She won back-to-back titles at the 2016 Lotte Mart Women's Open and the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, and in 2017, she became a major champion at the KLPGA Championship. In 2022, she secured her fourth career win at the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open after four years and seven months, clinching a birdie on the final 18th hole and drawing even more attention.
She cites her victory at the Lotte Mart Women's Open as her most memorable tournament. "It was my first win, so it was even more special," she said, adding, "I can never forget winning a major tournament, either." Her most disappointing moments came at the 2016·2017 LPGA Tour Lotte Championship in the United States. "At one point, I was tied for the lead through the third round," she recalled. "I didn't win, but it was a great experience." In 2017, she even finished tied for second place.
However, her ambition sometimes led to setbacks. Last year, while training in Thailand to increase her driving distance, she suffered a back injury. "I couldn't even hold a golf club for a month," Jang Suyeon confessed. "Then I developed a wrist injury, and I started to think it might not be possible to continue." She added, "Young players these days hit the ball farther and have excellent short games, but my driving distance has decreased, making it difficult to create birdie opportunities," she analyzed candidly.
Jang Suyeon became the major queen by winning the 2017 Isu Group KLPGA Championship. Provided by KLPGA
The KLPGA Tour is getting younger. This year, the average age of tournament winners was 23.48 years. Now 31, Jang Suyeon remarked, "I hardly have any peers left. Only Park Jooyoung, Jung Heewon, Lee Jungmin, Kim Jihyun, and Ahn Songyi remain. Compared to before, life on tour isn't as fun anymore." She added, "I don't have friends to talk to, and there's a generational gap with the younger players. I miss the days when I could chat and enjoy good food with friends my age."
She has been a symbolic player, consistently maintaining her spot on the regular tour for 13 years. However, this year's results were not satisfying. She played in 24 tournaments but finished in the top 10 only three times. "I've been playing golf for 24 years. After turning 30, I've had more aches and pains," Jang Suyeon said. "I've suffered injuries and felt mentally drained. When my body hurts, I can't practice properly," she admitted.
This year, she ranked 74th on the money list (earning 130.87 million won), putting her at risk of losing her tour card. "To be honest, I was considering retiring at the end of this year," she confessed. "I didn't even apply for the seed tournament." However, after the S-OIL Championship, she was contacted by the association and told, "You might receive a seed for next year." In recognition of her contributions to the KLPGA, she received a special seed for the first time, allowing her to return to the first division tour.
For the past 13 years, Jang Suyeon has always played under pressure. "I've lived in fierce competition since my amateur days," she said. "Rather than enjoying golf, I felt a heavy burden to survive." Her goal for next year is to "enjoy golf." While focusing on running her academy and giving lessons, she is determined to make the most of the opportunity she has been given. "Because this opportunity was so hard to come by, I will work even harder in tournaments. I will approach next year as if it's my last season. Winning may not be easy, but I want to enjoy playing golf."
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