'First Career Victory' Rookie Shin Ye-ji Sets Sights on KLPGA Regular Tour Entry, Rookie of the Year Award... Aims to Capture Multiple Titles

*This content was translated by AI.

Just over a month after joining as a provisional member, 19-year-old Shin Ye-ji secured her first career victory and declared her ambitious goals for the KLPGA regular tour.

On the 21st, Shin Ye-ji shot a 2-under-par 70 at the Hana Bank KLPGA 2026 Jeju Airport Car Rental·Baekje CC Jump Tour 3rd event held at Baekje Country Club in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, finishing with a tournament total of 5-under-par 139 to claim the title.

Shortly after her victory, Shin Ye-ji told the KLPGA, "I am truly delighted to have won my first career title," adding, "The water celebration from my fellow players in front of the clubhouse after the round was the best moment I will never forget."

She credited her grueling training during the off-season as the driving force behind this win. Shin Ye-ji explained, "I devoted myself to practice and physical training day and night during our training camp in Dubai, which allowed me to maintain my focus until the end and complete the tournament."

Although she started nervously with a bogey on the first hole (par 4) of the final round, Shin Ye-ji remained composed. She turned the tide with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 5), then secured consecutive birdies on the 8th and 9th holes (both par 4) to build momentum. "My feel for putts from 2 to 3 meters was excellent, and they dropped well," she recalled. "In particular, the birdie on the 9th hole, the last hole of the front nine, was the turning point. That momentum carried through without wavering into the back nine."

Shin Ye-ji's golf journey began in early 2019 when, as a sixth-grade elementary school student, she accompanied her father to the Jeju Samdasoo Masters gallery. "Seeing the players' wonderful play made me want to become a golfer," she said. "My strengths are perseverance and a positive mindset, never giving up even in difficult situations."

Shin Ye-ji now looks toward even greater heights. She is targeting qualification as a full member, which is awarded to the top 10 players in prize money standings after the first four events. "My primary goal is to become a full member this year, perform well in the Dream Tour, and secure a seed for the regular tour next year," she stated. "Once I join the regular tour, I want to be the player who wins the Rookie of the Year award, which can only be received once in a lifetime, and also captures multiple titles."

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*This content was translated by AI.