2002 Year of the Horse Stars Dominate KLPGA Tour
Hong Jeongmin, Go Jiwoo, Kim Minju, and Lee Yoolin Combine for Six Wins
Jang Yubin Returns to Korea; Kim Bio and Kim Minsu Also Born in the Year of the Horse
This year is the Year of the Byeongo, the Red Horse. It is a year dominated by the energy of passion and vitality.
There are many players born in the Year of the Horse in the Korean golf scene. Players born in 2002, the Year of the Horse, are hoping to continue their dominance on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour this year. On the other hand, male players born in 2002 are aiming for a turnaround to reclaim their former glory.
The KLPGA Tour features many players born in the Year of the Horse. Last year, they dominated the tour. Four players combined for an impressive six victories. Hong Jeongmin stood out, showcasing precise iron shots and exceptional putting skills. She claimed victory at the 47th Chris F&C KLPGA Championship in May, the Mediheal Korea Ilbo Championship in August, and the K-FOOD Nolboo Hwamee Masters in October. Including her win at the 2022 Doosan Match Play, she now has four career victories.
Hong Jeongmin, who dominated last year's KLPGA Tour, was born in 2002, the Year of the Horse. Photo by KLPGA
Hong Jeongmin competed in 27 tournaments last year, finishing in the top 10 twelve times. She ranked first in prize money (1,341,523,334 won) and second in both Player of the Year points (559 points) and scoring average (70.11 strokes). After becoming the prize money leader for the first time in her career, she was also selected as a promotional model for the first time. Following her best season yet, she has found a new team. This year, she will play under the Korea Land & Housing Corporation cap instead of CJ.
'Birdie Bomber' Ko Jiwoo is also born in the Year of the Horse. She competes on the KLPGA Tour alongside her younger sister, Ko Jiwon. Last June, she earned her third career victory at the McCOL Mona Yongpyong Open, tying the record for the lowest 54-hole score. Fellow 2002-born players Kim Minju and Lee Yoolin also tasted their first career victories. Kim Minju won the iM Financial Open in April last year, while Lee Yoolin claimed the title at the Sangsangin Hankyung Wownet Open in October.
Born in 2002, Yoo-bin Jang is aiming for a turnaround this year by returning to the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour. Photo by Coupang Play
Among male golfers, those born in the Year of the Horse are seeking a turnaround. Jang Yoobin is a leading figure. After winning six individual titles, including prize money leader and Player of the Year, on the 2024 KPGA Tour, he became the first Korean player to join LIV Golf last year, raising high expectations. However, a left thumb ligament injury hampered his performance. In all 13 LIV Golf events he entered, he finished outside the top 20. Jang Yoobin stated, "This year, I plan to steadily build my competitiveness through the KPGA Tour and Asian Tour before challenging bigger stages."
Kim Bio, born in 1990, is also born in the Year of the Horse. He is a veteran with eight career victories on the KPGA Tour. Last October, he played in the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament in an attempt to rejoin the PGA Tour. Kim Minsoo, who is the same age as Kim Bio, is active in the G Tour, a screen golf tournament. He has achieved 12 career victories on the G Tour.
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