"Winning every year made me complacent. This year, I will start again with the hunger of a rookie."
Park Min-ji made the remarks at the KLPGA Tour 2026 season Opening Ceremony held at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, on Sunday. "Last year was the first time since my debut that I went a full season without a win. It became a turning point for me," she said, outlining her determination for the new season.
The event was held roughly one week ahead of the domestic season opener, The Siena Open (total purse of 1 billion won, approximately $700,000). Twelve KLPGA Tour promotional models attended the ceremony, sharing their goals for the season and interacting with fans. The group included last year's money list winner Hong Jeong-min, fan vote leaders Im Hee-jeong and Park Hyun-kyung, as well as Kim Min-sol, Park Gyeol, Park Min-ji, Park Hye-jun, Bae So-hyun, Yoo Hyun-jo, Lee Ga-young, Lee Se-hee and Lee Yul-lin.
Park Min-ji holds the most career wins among active KLPGA Tour players with 19 victories. She had added to her win tally every year from her 2017 debut through 2024 before going winless last season. A single victory this season would tie the tour's all-time win record of 20, matching the late Koo Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae. Two or more wins would make new KLPGA Tour history.
"With the mindset of starting fresh, I will work not just to reach 20 wins but to earn each and every victory," Park said. "If I win this year, I will personally sign three flags from the final round and give them away to fans selected by lottery."
