Golf: World No. 14 Park Min-ji eyes bigger stage after being the KLPGA’s money list winner in 2021 and 2022
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From left: Golfers Kim Su-ji, Park Min-ji, Atthaya Thitikul, Shin Ji-yai, Choi Hye-jin and Yealimi Noh pose after the media conference for the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open at the Tanah Merah Country Club on Wednesday.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
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SINGAPORE – Despite topping the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) money list in 2021 and 2022, world No. 14 Park Min-ji does not want to rest on her laurels.
As the new KLPGA season tees off with the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open (SWO) on Friday, the South Korean has set her sights on playing on a bigger stage – America.
That is why Park, who had six wins last season and won over 1 billion won (S$1.03 million), will be heading to the United States as part of her preparations for the 2023 season.
She said: “It’s a very short off-season, but I’m just going to keep the mindset that 2022 still hasn’t been completed and I’ll take the same mindset to 2023.
“My plan is to go to the US, I’d like to play a full season with the Majors and in order for me to perform consistently, I feel like I need to get used to the green conditions in the US so that’s why I’m going there to train in the off-season.
“Mentally and physically, it’s going to be a very busy season so I’ll need to stay in top form.”
World No. 14 Park Min-ji is looking to conquer a bigger stage after topping the KLPGA's money list in back-to-back season.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The 24-year-old was speaking at a press conference ahead of the Dec 9-11 SWO, which is the curtain raiser for the 2023 KLPGA season and the Tour’s first international stop in three years.
With a prize purse of $1 million, it will be the most lucrative women’s golf tournament in the Republic after the US$1.7 million (S$2.4 million) HSBC Women’s World Championship – which is limited mainly to the top 20 in the world rankings and LPGA Tour winners plus others like sponsor invites.
The SWO, which is co-sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) and the KLPGA, was slated to take place in 2020 but was postponed owing to the pandemic.
The event is headlined by Thai world No. 3 Atthaya Thitikul and features the likes of former world No. 1 Shin Ji-yai.
Also looking to build on a stellar year is Park’s compatriot Kim Su-ji, the KLPGA’s Player of the Year with two titles and 17 top-10 finishes. The 26-year-old admitted that preparations with a short off-season will not be easy and she will be going to Vietnam for about two months to work on her distance and short game.
She said: “I’ve been fortunate to have had a great year. I just took on the approach that I want to learn and gain the experience that I need and that set the tone for a good performance... It’s been a fun season, it’s been a rewarding year.”
This week’s tournament will also see South Korea’s Shin returning to a familiar hunting ground – Tanah Merah Country Club – where she won her first LPGA title at the 2009 HSBC Women’s Champions.
However, the South Korean was surprised when she arrived.
She said: “I have a great memory of this course. I came this morning and the clubhouse, the courses have all changed, and I questioned if I really did play here.”
However, she remained confident of her chances, adding: “I feel very fresh and I’m looking forward to this new event – it’s great to be here playing with my little sisters (other golfers).”
