"He likes aggressive play, but I think it's because of my unexpected charm (laughs)."
This is the secret of his popularity that Hwang Yoo-min (21, Lotte), the "rush leader" who received the most love from fans in the 2024 KLPGA Tour, carefully brought up.
In an interview with the Kookmin Ilbo earlier this year, he said, "Many fans say I'm a bit of unexpected charm," adding, "I think it's one of the reasons why they think it's pretty that I hit long balls compared to my physique and enjoy 'Dakgong' style of play."
Hwang won the Popularity Award at the KLPGA Awards ceremony on Nov. 27 last year. The winner of the award was decided through online voting by fans. At the time, Hwang won 8,558 votes (20.69 percent of the vote), beating "Cutiful" Park Hyun-kyung (24, Korea Land Trust) who received 6,944 votes (16.79 percent).
Hwang Yoo-min, who traveled to Osaka, Japan at the end of last year as an award for his best performance this season, said, "I didn't expect it at all at the beginning of the fan vote, but I was very excited to receive a lot of support from the middle. I'm very happy to receive such a big award," adding, "I think it's an award meant to work harder, and I'll prepare thoroughly to show better performance next year."
Hwang finished the season as the fourth in the top 10 prize money ranking (1,051.4 million won) by winning Doosan E&C Weave Championship in April last year. He had his best season, far from the jinx he had been worried about.
Nevertheless, he does not seem to be satisfied. "Overall, it was a satisfactory year, but I feel a bit sad that I did not win many games," Hwang said. Notably, the runner-up at the Hite Jinro Championship, the last major competition of the season, remains regrettable as he failed to win the title due to his mistake in putt.
What I was disappointed about last year's season has become my goal for this season. "Since my debut in the tour, I have only won one championship every year. That's why I want to win two or more games this year. I hope that I feel that I have been upgraded a lot this year."
If he loses, he will win every game. Hwang knows very well what he lacks in order to achieve his goal. "I desperately need to supplement my short game," he said. "I had a lot of shots faltering in the middle of the season last year, but I will adjust my shots to control various ball games. I will thoroughly prepare not to make a mistake again due to my failed putt at an important point." To that end, Hwang will go on a training trip to Vietnam from January to March 35.
Hwang Yoo-min is a long hitter who represents the tour. His long shot from his small physique measuring 163 centimeters in height is impressive. He also posted an average driving distance of 253.76 yards in this season, ranking fourth in the long shot category. He earned the nickname "Charge Captain" due to his long shot.
As for the secret of hitting long balls, he said, "My lower body is better than my somewhat smaller upper body. The secret of hitting long balls is swing using the lower body," and added, "I practiced empty swing with a light stick to increase swing speed because it was not far from my junior days, and that helped me."
Having renewed her contract with Lotte at the end of last year, Hwang plans to take on the LPGA tour, which she postponed in December this year. "I will make sure to take on the challenge this year by filling in areas that I lacked in last year," Hwang said. "Last year, my back was not in good condition, so I had to postpone the event a little bit. I will strengthen my muscles and take care of my body to achieve my goal."
She is full of confidence as she has participated in LPGA Tour events several times over the past two years. She tied for ninth at the Lotte Championship held in Hawaii two years ago. She improved her experience by participating in two 메이저놀이터 major championships including the Amundi Evian Championship last year.
Until two years ago, Hwang had no hobbies other than playing golf. Then, Hwang's interest in games suddenly grew from last year. "I like the T1 team with Faker (Lee Sang-hyuk)," Hwang said, adding, "When I don't have a competition, I come to the e-sports stadium to relieve stress."