“Korea’s Golf Heroine” Claims Victory in a Striking Blue Uniform, Impressing Fans on the Japan Tour

It has been about 10 years since Lee Bo-mi (37) dominated the Japanese tour — and now, a Korean star who brings back memories of that excitement has finally reached the top in Japan.

The 26-year-old Park Hyun-kyung boasts eight career victories on the Korean women’s tour. Known in Korea by the nickname “Cutieful” (a combination of “cute” and “beautiful”) and enjoying immense popularity, she won the “Earth Mondahmin Cup” (held from June 25 to 29, with the final round postponed to Monday due to the typhoon) and claimed her first victory on the Japanese tour in just her fourth appearance.

Of course, her ability to survive the grueling competition of 30 holes a day was impressive, but what captivated the galleries was her charming personality. When her birdie putt on the final 18th hole — a putt that would have secured the victory if she made it — fell well short, she could not help but smile shyly. At the post-match press conference, she reflected on the moment:

“(On the Korean tour, after my previous) victory, more than a year had passed, and I was honestly feeling pressured that I had to win again. I knew that I only needed two putts on the final hole to win, but I wanted to get the ball as close as possible. However, it ended up being much shorter than I expected, and that made me laugh a little (laughs).”

A father-daughter argument with her former professional golfer father

Her ability to ease the tension around her even in critical moments, combined with her friendly personality, made her dramatic championship victory a powerful reminder that a new star has arrived in Japanese women’s golf.

Park began playing golf in July 2008. She says it all started when her father, Se-seu, a former professional golfer who managed a driving range, told her, “July 31 is your golf birthday.”

After turning professional, she rose to prominence as a skilled shot-maker, with exceptional fairway accuracy as her greatest strength. By her side throughout that journey was always her father, who carried her bag as her caddie.

Even in this tournament, the unusual setup of three utility clubs, chosen by her father, proved highly effective. However, behind the scenes, there were apparently some intense exchanges between them — as professionals and as father and daughter.

“We’ve been playing together for eight years, but because my father was a professional golfer, we often have differences of opinion. When I made a three-putt bogey, we had different views and ended up arguing. Or when I missed an opportunity to make a birdie, I would complain under my breath. I’d say things like, ‘What’s with your analysis?’ and honestly, I’m often the one who complains one-sidedly (laughs). But I’m always grateful for my father’s support.”

There were times when other caddies carried her bag, but things did not work out well. All eight of her career victories in Korea came with her father as her partner. And since they won this tournament together as well, it seems their father-daughter partnership will continue for years to come.

Among the media and fans, she is already being called “Lee Bo-mi’s successor” and “the second Lee Bo-mi.” Even when compared to the former money queen whose name once became a nationwide phenomenon in Japan, Park smiles and says she does not feel any pressure at all.

“I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever. On the contrary, I’m grateful. I feel almost like, ‘Are you sure you mean me?’ Lee Bo-mi senior has always been someone I admire. Compared with where she is now, I’m still far away from reaching her level, and I feel she is someone who is beyond my reach. So I’m almost wondering, ‘Is it really okay for people to say that about me?’”

How she plans to spend the 72 million yen prize money: “A watch and beauty treatments”

However, her polite interactions with the media after the tournament — responding in charming Japanese with phrases like “thank you” and “you’re welcome” — perfectly echo the image of the former queen who once captivated Japan. In Korea, she has been selected as a “KLPGA Public Relations Model” through fan voting for seven consecutive years, and her Instagram following has grown to around 150,000, a testament to her warm and welcoming personality.

The winner’s prize money for this tournament was 72 million yen, the highest amount ever in the history of the Japanese tour. When asked how she planned to spend the impressive sum, she gave an answer that reflected her age and personality.

“Before the season started, there was a watch (Cartier) that I wanted to buy if I won this year. Even though the price kept going up, I held myself back and thought I would buy it after winning, so first of all, I want to buy that watch.

Another thing is something my friends have asked me to do. They told me, ‘My phone broke, so if you win, buy me one,’ so I have to do that (laughs). Also, they told me, ‘You have spots on your face, so fix them after you win.’ I think they mean laser treatment (laughs). And above all, I want to use some of it to do something for my parents as a way of showing my gratitude.”

Her investment in her own beauty, her sincere promises to friends, and her gratitude toward her parents. While these comments brought a smile, when asked about her hobbies during the off-season, she gave a surprisingly golf-only answer.

“I get asked this a lot in Korea as well, but it is really difficult for me to answer. I love golf so much, and in my life, I’m always thinking about practicing golf or golf itself, so when people ask me about my hobbies, I honestly don’t know what to say. However, I’m thinking about taking dance lessons during this year’s off-season. Maybe that could become my hobby. I saw BLACKPINK’s Jennie playing golf, and it made me think that I wanted to dance too (laughs).”

With this victory, she earned eligibility to compete on the Japanese tour through next season. Regarding her plans for future participation, she remained cautious.

“I want to think about that slowly. But honestly, it still doesn’t feel real. I also have goals in Korea. Since I achieved my ninth career victory overall in Japan, my next goal is to reach my 10th victory in Korea as soon as possible.”

Could she move her base to Japan in the future?

For now, she appears likely to continue traveling back and forth between the Korean and Japanese tours. However, both Park and her father were impressed by the excellent course conditions and strong organizational support of the Japanese tour. Her father, Se-seu, happily told the reporter, “You’ll be able to see her face in Japan a lot more from now on.”

Above all, what encouraged her was the warmth of Japanese galleries.

“Japan is a country I really like, and whenever I come to Japan, I have memories of finishing quite high in the rankings. I’m a foreign player, but I feel that the fans have given me tremendous support. I think that power of encouragement had a huge influence on me.”

In fact, before the tournament, her paternal grandmother had passed away, and she arrived in Japan carrying heavy emotions. However, on Saturday, when the schedule was disrupted, a white butterfly appeared in front of her just as she was about to hit a shot in the rain. She talked with her father, saying, “Grandma came here to support me,” and used that moment to regain her strength on the way to victory.

Finally, the “Cutieful” concluded with a charming smile and the Japanese words, “See you again!”

The 26-year-old, who possesses skill, beauty, and exceptional hospitality, has all the qualities needed to take over Japanese golf’s greens. Her next major breakthrough may not be far away.