"I've never even looked at the rookie of the year points ranking. I want to win rather than take rookie honors."
Hwang Yu-min (23, Lotte), competing in a Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour event for the first time in eight months, spoke of her yearning for a second win on the U.S. LPGA Tour.
Hwang carded six birdies without a bogey to shoot 6-under par and join the leaders in the first round of the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open (total prize money 1.2 billion won), held Wednesday at BearsBest Cheongna GC (par 72) in Incheon.
A three-time KLPGA Tour winner, Hwang has been playing on the LPGA Tour this year, and this marks her first domestic appearance in eight months since last November. As it was a sponsor-hosted event, she competed alongside fellow Lotte players Kim Hyo-joo and Choi Hye-jin.
Reflecting on her past six months since moving to the United States, Hwang said, "It was a time when I played golf as hard as I possibly could, with no regrets." She added, "I went in prepared, knowing it was such a rough and world-class stage, so there was no great shock, but as expected, it was not an easy place." She explained, "The swings and performances of players gathered from all over the world are truly excellent, and the player pool is deep, so I'm learning every time I play a tournament."
Hwang earned a direct ticket to the United States by winning the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship last year as an invited player. But she has yet to record a win since her official debut on the U.S. stage.
Hwang's best finish is a tie for fifth at the season opener in January, yet with consistent results and only three missed cuts, she leads the rookie of the year points standings. On this, she stressed, "I've never set a rookie of the year goal, so I'm not particularly concerned about it. Above all, I want to win."
"Receiving the passionate support of Korean fans, which I couldn't feel in the United States, for the first time in a while gives me strength," said Hwang, who will challenge for the title at next week's Evian Championship.
