Former Major Queens Park Sung-hyun, Lee Jeong-eun6 Eye Comeback on LPGA's Second-Tier Tour

Park Sung-hyun, known as "Namdalra," and Lee Jeong-eun6, nicknamed "Hot Six," hold legendary records on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour that remain unbroken to this day. Park's average of 4.67 birdies per round set in 2016 remains an untouchable record that no one has come close to matching. Lee's achievement of 20 top-10 finishes in 2017 also stands as an unbroken milestone.

The two players, who joined the LPGA Tour two years apart, share remarkable similarities. Both won LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors and claimed U.S. Women's Open titles in their debut seasons. Park won the 2017 U.S. Women's Open and was named Rookie of the Year that year, while Lee achieved the same feat in 2019.

Though they debuted in different years, both players lost their LPGA Tour cards last year, sharing the pain of that setback. Now they are both targeting a comeback through the LPGA's second-tier Epson Tour this year.

The Epson Tour is no easy path. Young players from around the world flock to this stage seeking promotion to the LPGA Tour. Park, already 32, and Lee, who turns 30 this year, face an uphill battle starting with driving distance. Last year on the LPGA Tour, Park ranked 62nd in driving distance at 262.36 yards, while Lee ranked 137th at 246.89 yards. Their world rankings have also continued to slide, with Lee at 332nd and Park at 380th.

However, the two players share another common trait: both endured extremely difficult times during their careers on the domestic tour and possess the indomitable spirit to overcome adversity.

While the LPGA Tour has already begun, the Epson Tour opener is still about a month away. The tournament schedules for both players are gradually emerging.

Lee is listed in the field for the season-opening Atlantic Beach Classic at Atlantic Beach Country Club in Florida on March 5, followed by two more consecutive events. Her name also appears on the entry lists for the IOA Golf Classic and the Orlando Health Championship. Park's name appears on the entry lists for the fourth event of the season, the IOA Championship, followed by the Carlisle Arizona Women's Classic and the Reliance Matrix Championship. While no tournament currently features both players, the final entry lists have not been confirmed and changes may occur.

An interview Lee once gave comes to mind. When asked by a media outlet whether she had considered returning to the domestic tour—a question implying she should not struggle on the LPGA Tour when results were not coming—Lee's response was firm. She said a player who cannot succeed in America cannot expect to succeed at home. Park shares the same mindset.

Both players surely agonized over their options. Letting go of their pride as major champions must have been even harder. But their reason for choosing the Epson Tour is clear: they believe in their comeback.