Hwang Yoo-min, ranked 5th in the opening game of 'Charge from before debut' and ranked 28th in the world, 'Reserved the 1st place for Rookie of the Year.'

*This content was translated by AI.

The aspect of the "Assault Captain" continues on the LPGA Tour. Hwang Yoo-min (23, Lotte) showed off his extraordinary presence from the opening game of the 2026 season.

Hwang Yoo-min jumped to 28th in the women's golf world ranking announced on the 3rd (Korea time), up four notches from 32nd last week.

Hwang Yoo-min, who played on the KLPGA tour until last year, won the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship in October last year and took the opportunity to go straight to the LPGA Tour on her own without going through the qualifying series.

Unlike his small size, Hwang Yoo-min, who was at the top of the driver's distance with his enormous explosive power, won three times with the nickname of "Chase Captain" with a bold green attack. In addition, he won the Popularity Award by attracting attention as the best KLPGA star for the past two consecutive seasons.

He also showed off his presence on his first stage as a rookie. At the Hilton Grand Vacations Champions Tournament (total prize money of 2.1 million dollars) on the LPGA Tour, which ended on the 2nd, she only reduced one stroke on the first day, but in the 2nd round, she combined one eagle, six birdies and three bogeys to become the lead by reducing five strokes.

He missed the opportunity to reach third place alone by making a triple bogey in the third round, but he drew attention by finishing his debut in a joint fifth place in the final.

Hwang Yoo-min's strengths were also highlighted in this competition. The driving distance was 270.67 yards (247.5 meters), the fourth-best record after the winner Nelly Koda (272.17 yards from the United States), Kim A-rim (271.5 yards), and Gino Thitikul (271.33 yards from Thailand). It is all the more meaningful because it is an indicator that Hwang Yoo-min's slugging instinct works in the United States.

With a good start to the opening game, Hwang Yu-min scored 65 points for the Rookie of the Year award and was listed alone on the ranking table. After already experiencing the championship and proving his potential, he tied for fifth place in his official debut and established himself as the No. 1 rookie award.

Yang Hee-young (37) of Keum Securities, who finished second at the Hilton Grand Vacations Champions Tournament, rose 28 notches to 51st from 79th last week. Among Korean players, Kim Hyo-joo (31, Lotte) ranked the highest at 9th.

The teetotaler remained in first place and Nelly Koda of the U.S., who won the championship, remained in second place.

Korean-born players Lee Min-ji (Australia) and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) ranked third and sixth, respectively.

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*This content was translated by AI.