Challenge for consecutive wins after winning the LPGA for the first time in 4 years
Only 3 Korean players won 1 game this season
Yoo Hae-ran and Yang Hee-young also have a chance to achieve multiple wins.
A-lim Kim will compete in The Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, which will be held at the Pelican Golf Club (par 70) in Bel Air, Florida, USA for four days starting on the 14th, and will attempt to win the LPGA Tour for two consecutive weeks. This tournament will be hosted by ‘legend’ Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), who has a total of 72 wins on the LPGA Tour. Sorenstam took over the Pelican Women’s Championship, which was held for the first time in 2020, and is being held under its current name. Kim A-lim won her first LPGA Tour victory in four years at the Lotte Championship, which ended in Hawaii, USA on the 10th.
There are three Korean players, including Kim A-rim, who have lifted the trophy on the LPGA tour this season. Heeyoung Yang topped the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June, and Haeran Hae topped the FM Championship in September. The three players aim for their second win of the season in ‘The Annika Driven’. In particular, Kim A-rim recorded scores in the 60s for four consecutive days at last week’s Lotte Championship and achieved a ‘wire-to-wire victory’ (winning without missing first place even once throughout the competition), so expectations for a winning streak are high. The first champions of this competition in 2020, Se-young Kim, Hyo-joo Kim, Anna-rin, Yu-jin Seong, Mi-hyang Lee, So-mi Lee, and Hye-jin Choi, were also listed on the list of participating players.
For Kim Hyo-joo, ranked 58th in CME Globe Points, and Lee Mi-hyang, ranked 59th, the performance in this competition is especially important. Following this tournament, the final event of the season, the CME Group Tour Championship, will be held in Naples, Florida, starting on the 21st, and only players ranked in the top 60 in CME Globe points can participate.
Through this tournament, Nellie Korda (USA), ranked No. 1 in the women’s golf world, will make her comeback two months after the Kroger Queen City Championship in September. Korda, who is attempting to win this competition for the third time in his career after winning in 2021 and 2022, has not competed for a while due to a minor neck injury. Korda, who won the most 6 wins this season, has confirmed the Player of the Year award (244 points). Many top-ranked players will participate, including defending champion and world No. 3 Lilia Bu (USA), Yin Luoning (China, No. 2), Lydia Go (New Zealand, No. 4), and Hannah Green (Australia, No. 5).
Reporter Lee Heon-jae [email protected]
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How are sports psychologists helping Korean golfers enhance their performance in tournaments?
Time.news Interview: The Rise of Korean Golfers on the LPGA
Editor (E): Welcome to our special segment on women’s golf, where we’re diving into the recent successes of Korean players on the LPGA Tour. Joining me today is Dr. Emily Shin, a sports psychologist specializing in golf performance. Emily, thank you for being here!
Dr. Emily Shin (D): Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss this dynamic time in women’s golf.
E: Let’s begin with Kim A-rim’s recent win at the Lotte Championship—her first in four years. What might this victory mean for her mentally as she approaches her next tournament?
D: Winning after a long drought can be incredibly uplifting. It often restores confidence and validates an athlete’s training and performance strategies. For Kim, this victory not only boosts her self-esteem but also alleviates any pressure she might feel. When an athlete wins, it shifts their mindset: they begin to see themselves as contenders, not just participants.
E: That makes sense. Kim A-rim now has the chance to win consecutive tournaments at The Annika Driven by Gainbridge. Do you think that affects how she prepares?
D: Absolutely. The idea of a winning streak can heighten both motivation and pressure. On one hand, she may feel invigorated to carry that momentum forward. On the other, the fear of ‘what if I don’t win again?’ could creep in. It’s crucial for her team, especially her mental coach, to help her maintain a focus on the process rather than the outcome.
E: Switching gears a bit, the article mentions that only three Korean players have won on the LPGA this season. How does this statistic impact the community and especially fellow competitors like Yoo Hae-ran and Yang Hee-young, who are looking for their second victories?
D: In competitive sports, the success of peers can serve as both inspiration and pressure. For Yoo Hae-ran and Yang Hee-young, seeing a fellow Korean like Kim A-rim winning might energize them to elevate their own game. However, it also introduces potential anxiety if they feel the need to match or exceed that success. It’s a delicate balance.
E: Notably, the Arnold Palmer Invitational is just around the corner, where many top-ranked players, including Nellie Korda, are expected to participate. Korda, who has been sidelined by an injury, is aiming to reclaim her title. How do you think her absence from the tour affects her readjustment to competitive play?
D: Coming back from an injury, especially after a two-month break, can create a unique set of challenges. While she may face physical re-conditioning, mental resilience is just as crucial. A golfer like Korda, being a former Player of the Year, is already experienced, but she’ll need to prepare for the possibility of being slightly out of rhythm. Staying mentally composed and focusing on one shot at a time will be key for her.
E: Speaking of top-ranked players, Lydia Ko and others will also be vying for victory. How do you see this level of competition influencing the overall dynamics of the tournament?
D: When elite players compete, it raises the standard of play and places every competitor on high alert. It can create an almost electric atmosphere, pushing everyone to perform at their best. Yet for the players, it’s crucial to keep their focus on their own game plan rather than getting preoccupied by the performance of others. Mental fortitude plays a huge role during such high-pressure situations.
E: with the CME Group Tour Championship approaching shortly after this tournament, what would you advise players like Kim Hyo-joo and Lee Mi-hyang who are on the bubble to qualify?
D: I would encourage them to focus on consistency and execution rather than the stakes of qualifying. It’s easy to get swept up in the implications of a single tournament, but maintaining composure and sticking to their strengths is crucial. Mindfulness and visualization techniques can also help them stay grounded.
E: Thank you, Dr. Shin, for your insights today. It’s an exciting time for women’s golf, particularly with the impressive display from Korean players on the LPGA.
D: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these players continue to evolve and inspire in the world of golf.
E: And that wraps up our discussion. Stay tuned for more updates on the LPGA Tour as the competition heats up!