Yumin Hwang Makes LPGA Debut: "The Tournament I Most Want to Win Is the US Women's Open"

Hilton Grand Vacations TOC Debut
Secured U.S. Entry with Last Year's Lotte Championship Win
"I Will Play Flexible Golf Depending on the Course"

Yumin Hwang is finally making her debut on the U.S. stage.

The battleground will be the opening event of the LPGA Tour, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (TOC, total prize money of $2.1 million), held at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,624 yards) in Orlando, Florida, on January 29 (local time). This is a "champion of champions" event, open only to players who have won titles over the past two years.

Hwang Yumin will make her debut at the LPGA Tour Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Provided by KLPGA

Yumin Hwang has secured three career victories on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. Last year, she earned her LPGA Tour card by winning the Lotte Championship as a sponsor's invite. Hwang is known for her aggressive strategy and bold play, powered by her long drives. Ahead of her LPGA Tour debut, she commented, "I don't think it will be easy to succeed relying only on aggressive long drives," adding, "On courses where I can play aggressively, I will go for it, but in situations that require strategy, I will take a more flexible approach and play smart golf."

Hwang picked the US Women's Open, a major tournament, as the event she most wants to win. She said, "There is an overwhelming feeling that comes with the US Women's Open. Because it is a tournament with tradition and history, I'm curious about what it would feel like to win," and added, "After competing in the 2025 US Women's Open and learning so much from the experience, I feel even more drawn to it." Hwang is considered a strong contender for victory this year. She is aiming to win the Rookie of the Year award for the first time in three years, since Haeran Yu in 2023.