[2026 New Start New Challenge] Top Qualifier Yang Hyojin: "From World No. 1 to Olympic Gold"

Entered the First Division Just Three Months After Turning Pro in June Last Year
A Special Connection: Playing a Round with Role Model Shin Ji-ae
Aiming for Her First Tour Victory and Rookie of the Year Honors This Season

There is no stopping her. This phrase perfectly describes 18-year-old Yang Hyojin, who is making her debut on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour this year. The label "super rookie" is well-deserved. Last November, Yang dominated the final round of the KLPGA 2026 Regular Tour Seed Ranking at Muan Country Club in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, finishing as the top qualifier. She clinched a come-from-behind victory by shooting 6-under par on the final day. Yang stated, "My goals this year are to win on the regular tour and be named Rookie of the Year," adding, "I want to show that I have grown one step further compared to last year."

Born in June 2007, Yang Hyojin has followed the elite path from an early age, starting golf in third grade. She recalled, "I became interested in golf after accompanying my father to a driving range by chance," and added, "I liked the feeling when the ball hit the club head." After being a member of the national reserve team in 2023, she earned her first spot on the national team in 2024.

Yang Hyojin expressed her ambition to be crowned Rookie of the Year on this year's KLPGA Tour. Photo by KLPGA

She has gained professional experience even as an amateur, and her results followed. In 2023, she finished runner-up at the SBS Golf·Lotte Open Dream Tour, and tied for 15th at the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open in the same year. The following year, she placed third at the ALPGA Tour ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open and tied for sixth at the JLPGA Tour Suntory Ladies Open. In January last year, she won the Australian Amateur Masters.

Based on her impressive amateur career, Yang joined the KLPGA as an associate member in June last year after finishing in the top ranks of the youth division at the KLPGA President's Cup Women's Amateur Golf Championship. She made her mark by winning back-to-back titles at the Solago Jump Tour's 11th and 12th rounds that same year. Just three months after joining, she was promoted to full member in August and passed the final round of the seed ranking as the top qualifier. She reflected, "It wasn't easy because of the strong winds throughout the seed ranking tournament," and added, "I didn't expect to finish first."

Yang Hyojin passed as the top qualifier in the final round of the KLPGA 2026 Regular Tour Seed Ranking. Photo by KLPGA

Her role model is Shin Ji-ae, the "living legend" who has amassed 66 career wins across tours in Korea, the United States, Japan, Europe, and Australia. Yang even competed against Shin for the title at the ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open. She laughed, "I played alongside Shin Ji-ae in the third round of the Australian tournament and was so nervous." Due to her nerves, she lost three strokes during the round. However, after the round, she received advice: "Always be polite, but don't be overly conscious of others."

Born in 1988, Shin Ji-ae is a symbol of consistency. She has maintained her career for nearly 20 years and, in May last year, won the JLPGA Tour major, the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup. She also holds the record for 29 career wins and the top prize money (1,459,630,000 yen) on the JLPGA Tour. Yang said, "Shin Ji-ae is extremely disciplined in her self-management," and added, "I want to be a player who maintains competitiveness for a long time, just like her."

Hyangyojin is focusing on approach training during the Thailand training camp. Provided by KLPGA

Standing at 158 cm, Yang Hyojin is not a power hitter. Her average driving distance is about 230 meters. However, she has built a solid foundation by combining bodyweight exercises and weight training since elementary school. She explained, "As I kept training consistently, my distance increased and my overall skills improved." Her main strengths are precise iron shots and wedge play. She is confident in creating birdie opportunities within 100 meters. Last year, she recorded a green-in-regulation rate of 84.92% in seven Dream Tour events.

Hailing from Jeju Island, Yang Hyojin has already gained experience on the KLPGA Tour as an amateur, giving her a relative advantage among rookies ahead of their regular tour debut season. On January 18, she left for a training camp in Thailand. She is focusing on building stamina to prepare for the regular tour, where players walk the course instead of using carts. At the same time, she is dedicating herself to approach and short game training to maintain her score. Yang emphasized, "To maximize my strengths, I need to further perfect my short game," and added, "I want to showcase precise play."

Yang Hyojin is posing with the trophy immediately after winning the 12th round of the 2025 KLPGA Jump Tour. Provided by KLPGA

Her goal for this season is to be the "top rookie." Her first objective is to make the cut in every tournament she enters. Kim Min-sol is mentioned as her main rival for the Rookie of the Year award. Kim Min-sol won both the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup and the Dongbu Construction Korea Land & Trust Championship last year as an invited player. However, because she did not play enough tournaments, her eligibility for the Rookie of the Year award carries over to this year.

Yang Hyojin is sweating it out in Thailand as she prepares for the regular tour, which will feature 31 tournaments this year. She said, "Just thinking about the opening tournament already makes me excited and nervous," and added with a smile, "I enjoy the nerves, so I hope there will be a big gallery." She continued, "I want to enjoy playing golf. I hope fans remember me as a player who performs well while having fun," and boldly declared, "Someday, I want to challenge myself to become world number one and win an Olympic gold medal."

Yang Hyojin said she wants to enjoy fun and entertaining golf in the future. Photo by KLPGA