“I am preparing for the competition with physical and field training every day. I will do my best for myself and to repay the fans’ support.”
Park Sung-hyun, who is sweating heavily ahead of her first major tournament on the KLPGA Tour this year, vowed to do well.
Park Sung-hyun will play as a recommended player at the Hite Jinro Championship, the last major tournament of the KLPGA Tour season, which will open at Blue Heron Golf Club (par 72) in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do for four days from October 3.
It has been about two months since the Jeju Samdasoo Masters held early last month, and when it comes to major competitions, it has been about a year since she participated in the championship last year. Park’s best performance at the Hite Jinro Championship is tied for third place in 2022.
Unfortunately, the Jeju Samdasoo Masters did not meet the cut criteria. However, she gained confidence that she can run again. Park suffered a broken wrist ligament when she hit a rock hard during the SK Shields SK Telecom Championship match, the final match of the KLPGA tour, in November last year. After undergoing surgery, she focused on rehabilitation and started practicing only three months before the competition.
At the time, Park said, “I exercised hard because I did not want to lose the trust of my family and people around me. As a result, my physical condition improved, and I felt that I wanted to continue (golfing). Especially as I gained confidence in my body, I thought that I could play golf for a long time and although it was difficult, I felt that I had overcome it well.”
Park Sung-hyun, who finished the Jeju Island competition, did not neglect training to target the Hite Jinro Championship even in the heat wave.
In an interview with MHN Sports, Park said, “I am constantly exercising my physical strength and field training every day. The Jeju Samdasoo competition was a great help to regain performance as it has been a long time since I participated in it. I was grateful to be able to play the game while receiving enthusiastic support from the fans, and it was all the more meaningful to have an opportunity to repay the fans who have waited for me. Currently, I am making great efforts to enhance my physical condition while preparing for the Hite Jinro Championship next week. I want to show good performance in this competition.”
The Blue Heron Golf Club, where the Hite Jinro Championship will take place, is a course that is certain to reward and punish people. The golf club demands accurate tee shots due to narrow fairways and deep roughness at the spot where the shot is settled. The green speed is also fast, reaching 3.5 or higher every year, which makes it difficult for players to set up a course that is highly discriminating.
“This is my first major championship since I returned from injury, so it is all the more meaningful,” Park said. “I think it is the best reward I can give to everyone who is rooting for me. We had a lot of practice rounds ahead of the competition. Fairway keeping will be important as the rough gets longer and harder to get the ball out. I’m also focusing on boosting my putting as the green is difficult and tricky. And I’m going to strategize according to the situation and target the course.”
She did not forget to thank the organizers for helping her play in the field and the fans of “My Everlasting Friend.” Park Sung-hyun’s official fan cafe “Namdalla” has more than 10,000 members. Last month, about 100 fans armed with group t-shirts and pickets showed their generous support. The fan cafe is excited again to cheer for the Hite Jinro Championship.
Park Sung-hyun, who has a special affection for the Hite Jinro Championship, said, “It’s a very grateful competition for me for giving me the opportunity to participate every year. As much as you keep visiting us, I want to produce good results. Also, many fans like to participate in the Hite Jinro competition. That’s why I came to participate with more joy. As it is a competition where many fans and galleries are together, I think I should do my best to show good performance.” 토토사이트
Park has seven wins (two major wins) in the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour, and has even become No. 1 in the world rankings. Despite sluggish performance in recent years, Park’s dream is still ongoing, and she is preparing to return to the tour next year. Therefore, this year’s event will be the best for actual training.
Park said, “I think the Hite Jinro Championship is an opportunity for me to make sure I know where to go in the future. The experience of performing well on a difficult course will boost my confidence and performance. With the experience I gained from this competition, I hope I can return to the LPGA Tour next year and perform better.”
This year’s Hite Jinro Championship will be held with a total prize money of 1.5 billion won and a prize money of 270 million won. It increased 300 million won from last year. All the players representing the KLPGA tour participate in the competition as the outline of the winner of the prize money is revealed every year.
Many fans gather every year to enjoy the players’ luxurious shots and autumn mood. Organizers have prepared a variety of gallery events and colorful food this year as well.