"I Will Be a Rookie of the Year for the LPGA"

She always had to greet New Year’s Day away from home because of her winter training as a golf player.

This year is the same as the previous years. She has to start the New Year far away from her family. She used to have a wish around this time, but she feels much more excited this year because she is supposed to enter the U.S. LPGA stage as she turns twenty. She hopes to play there as soon as possible.

“Cinderella of the Field” Ahn Shi-hyun’s heart still beats when she looks back on the last year. She came into the big spotlight just as the catch phrase “Ahn Shi-hyun Syndrome” was created when she won the CJ Nine Bridge Classic on her debut for the LPGA.

Interviews and request for TV broadcasting were numerous and made her schedule very tight. She recalled saying, “I was really busy. There was no time to rest,” and also added, “I used to roam around wearing training clothes with no make-up. But now I have to worry about my appearance even when I go to supermarket.”

Ahn Shi-hyun started her training early for this season beyond her popularity. She knows well that more tough roads are ahead of her. She went to Zhu Hai, Guangdong Province, China for training on December 14, when the year-end’s mood is highly elated, and has practiced hard for nearly 10 hours a day.

She works on a schedule of 18-hole rounds, short games, putting drills and nighttime weight training from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Pro golfer Jeong Hae-sim, has taught Ahn since her middle school days, saying, “I know that her practice was not as hard then as now.”

Ahn is highly motivated. She said, “’It is important for me to be familiar with the U.S. stage soon. I have to increase my drive shot’s distance from its current 250 yards by 20 yards. I have to increase my weight by 3 kg as well.” Ahn, moving her training camp to Thailand at the end of last year, will come back to Korea temporarily and then head for America to adapt to her new environment. The first step of her goal is to become a “Rookie of the year.” She said, “I felt hurt when I missed the rookie title in Korea last year. I want to accomplish it because it’s the only chance for my whole career.”

Ahn confessed that her nickname “Cinderella” was not welcomed to her. It sounded to her that she got her honors without efforts. She also dislikes the phrase “surprise Champion.” Instead she keeps her creed, “Don’t give up even if it is hard,” and ‘It will be achieved someday if I try.” Ahn believes that she has to do something for unfortunate neighbors no matter how small it is because she has played golf with difficulties. With the reason, her big dream seems to be realized.

She said, “It’s better that a hope is bigger. I will let the world know my name.”

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com