[2026 New Start New Challenge] Hwang Yumin: "No More All-Out Attacks Going Forward"

Victory as a Sponsor Invitee at Last Year's Lotte Championship, Now Entering the U.S. Stage
Steady Experience on the LPGA Tour, Smooth Transition Expected This Year
Consistent Results as the First Goal, Ambition for a Debut-Year Victory
"My Ultimate Dream Is to Become World Number One and Win an Olympic Medal"

Hwang Yumin's nickname is "Assault Captain." She is known for her bold and aggressive play on the field.

However, this image is expected to change in the 2026 season. As she enters the LPGA Tour this year, she said, "Looking back, I think my golf was more reckless than aggressive," adding with a laugh, "In the United States, I think course management-knowing when to attack and when to play it safe according to the situation-will be even more important."

Hwang Yumin's primary goal this year is to maintain consistent performance on the LPGA Tour. Provided by KLPGA

Hwang Yumin, a former national team member, began to stand out after winning the Kang Mingoo Cup Korea Women's Amateur Championship in 2021. That same year, she finished tied for fourth at the Korea Women's Open, consistently producing results even on the professional stage. After debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2023, she quickly became a popular player thanks to her youthful appearance, petite frame (just over 160 cm), powerful swing, and long drives.

She has recorded three career wins on the KLPGA Tour. The most notable was her victory at the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship held at Hoakalei Country Club in Hawaii, United States, in October last year. Competing as a sponsor-invited player, she claimed the title and secured a direct ticket to the LPGA Tour without going through the LPGA Qualifying (Q) Series.

With this, she became the sixth Korean player to win an LPGA title as a non-member, following So Yeon Ryu (2011), Kim Hyojoo (2014), Chun Ingee (2015), Ko Jin-young (2017), and Kim A Lim (2020).

Hwang Yumin won the Lotte Championship as an invited player, securing a direct ticket to the LPGA Tour. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Her preparations for the U.S. stage began early. Since 2024, she has gained experience by competing in the Amundi Evian Championship and the Lotte Championship, and last year she posted solid results: tied for 56th at the U.S. Women's Open, tied for 19th at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and tied for 49th at the Amundi Evian Championship.

She said, "As I traveled abroad for tournaments more frequently, I learned how to adapt to time differences and picked up many skills from foreign players. I realized that if my short game falters when things aren't going well, I can lose a lot of strokes. I think my improved accuracy has led to better results."

Hwang Yumin also has a strong fan base. She received the KLPGA Tour Popularity Award for two consecutive years and has consistently engaged in charitable activities during the off-season. Last year, she donated 10 million won to the Lotte Medical Foundation, delivering funds for children's treatment and rehabilitation for the second consecutive year.

After winning the final event of the KLPGA Tour, the Daebo HausD Championship (November 2024), in a playoff, she shook hands with each fan and said, "Some fans even cried at my farewell match. Thanks to my fans, I had a happy three years on tour."

Hwang Yumin aims to challenge for the LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year by improving her approach and putting. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Her performance has remained steady. In the KLPGA money rankings, she placed 11th in 2023 (655.42 million won), 4th in 2024 (1.05104 billion won), and 10th last year (680.8 million won). She also ranked among the leaders in driving distance: 2nd in 2023 (257.16 yards), 4th in 2024 (253.76 yards), and 6th in 2025 (252.49 yards).

This year, she focused on her short game, including approach shots and putting. She pledged, "I've been consistently training to adapt locally and will concentrate on achieving good results from my first year."

She is considered a leading candidate for the LPGA Rookie of the Year award in the 2026 season. Korea has produced five consecutive Rookie of the Year winners, from Kim Se-young (2015) to Chun Ingee, Park Sung-hyun, Ko Jin-young, and Lee Jeongeun6 (2019). Hwang Yumin is aiming for the rookie title for the first time in three years since Yoo Hae-ran in 2023.

Hwang Yumin said he wants to be remembered as a player who enjoys golf in a fun way. Photo by Wow Management Group

Her first test will be the season opener, the "Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions," held in Orlando, Florida, on January 29 (local time). This is the so-called "champion of champions" event, where the previous year's winners gather. She said, "My primary goal is to maintain consistent performance, but if the opportunity arises, I would love to win in my debut year as well."

Hwang Yumin, who said she wants to be remembered as a player who enjoys golf in a fun way, is aiming even higher. "I've grown a lot over three years on the KLPGA Tour. My ultimate dream as a golfer is to become world number one and win an Olympic medal."