[Courtesy of KLPGA]
South Korean star player Ko Jin-young aims to win the Rookie of the Year award next year as she moves on to the LPGA Tour after a successful four-year career on the domestic tour.
Her LPGA debut has been anticipated since she earned full-time playing privileges for the U.S. circuit by winning the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship in October.
"I've dreamed of playing on the LPGA tour since I started playing golf," the 22-year-old said in a statement which came after Park Sung-hyun clinched the LPGA Tour's money title while sharing the top player honors with Ryu So-yeon. Park, 24, has already clinched the Rookie of the Year award last month.
"I will be very happy if I earn the Rookie of the Year award at the LPGA Tour," Ko said, adding she would step up physical training to maintain her good body condition.
"You have to play with the best players in the world's best stage. "Physically, I will have a very tough schedule, but I want to be a player who feels great happiness and gratitude even for small things."
Since her professional debut in 2013, Ko has earned ten domestic titles and one LPGA title. She finished runner-up to fellow South Korean golfer Park In-bee at the 2015 Ricoh Women's British Open.
In 2016, Ko had a brilliant year after acquiring veteran Australian caddie Dean Herden, beating out Park for the top KLPGA player award. This year, Ko won twice to rank fourth on the money list and third in the Player of the Year points standings. Aside from her mental fortitude, Herden has praised Ko's "great" distance control with irons.
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