Ann Shin Ae Discusses Her Return to Japan and Thoughts on Decreasing Media Exposure
Sportswriter Kim Myeong-soon, who has been covering Anne Shin-hye for many years, looks into her return to professional golf this season and where she is now in her challenge in Japan.
Ahn Shin Ae made her debut on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour in 2017, creating a sensation as the “Sexy Queen.” After stepping back from the front lines at the end of the 2019 season, she made her comeback at a domestic tournament in Korea last November.
She passed the Final QT (Qualifying Tournament) held at the end of the year and is participating in the Japan Tour this season for the first time in five years. After the Nichirei Ladies tournament held from June 14 to 16, the first re-ranking, which determines participation rights for the mid-season (until the Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Ladies Open in September), took place, and Ahn Shin Ae secured her spot by ranking 26th.
Despite a few years of hiatus and being 33 years old, she is still hanging on in the grueling tour. Out of the 11 tournaments she participated in from the season opener in March until mid-June, she made the cut in six. She demonstrated her competitiveness on the regular tour by finishing tied for 10th at the AXARE Ladies in MIYAZAKI in March. When asked about her feelings on passing the first re-ranking, she expressed her genuine delight.
“I am truly happy that I can continue to participate in matches. I am even more excited to play in majors and tournaments that I have never played in before.”
Regarding her golf form and condition, she said, “There was a period of about three weeks in the first half where I took a break, and I feel that my sense for the game has dulled a bit. I want to continue playing matches to improve my shot and build my confidence.” She seems to feel that by continuing to play in matches, she can achieve stable results. Since there are many courses she will be playing for the first time, managing and understanding conditions will be very important.
“The conditions of the short game change with each tournament, so I have to adapt to the greens, grass, and rough each time. To catch up with the players who consistently rank at the top, I feel I need to put in more effort.”
