17-Year-Old Wins Five KLPGA Awards

Shin Ji-ai, a 17-year-old Hi-mart golfer, became the first to claim five titles on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) tour.

The ‘Super Rookie’ swept the grand prize and the awards for this year’s best rookie, the winner in money rankings, most awards, and the best scoring average at the 2006 KLPGA award ceremony held in Imperial Palace Hotel on December 7.

“I would like to thank my mother for supporting me from the heaven to perform well this year. I will do my utmost to be the best,” said Shin who lost her mother 4 years ago to a car accident.

After making her debut as a professional golfer this year, she grabbed three titles, winning 374 million won ($410,000), the highest amount of prize money in Korea. She recorded 69.72 strokes a round this year, becoming the first woman golfer with a 60-level average score for a season.

Jeon Mi-jeong (24), who won three awards and ranked second in money ranking category, took the Grand Prize for overseas player. The best-dressed prize went to Hong Lan of Isu Construction and the prize for this year’s best amateur was given to Choi Hye-yong, a junior in Yea Moon Girl’s High School and a member of the Korean national team for the Doha Asian Games.

kjs0123@donga.com