Sun Young Yoo – leading the LPGA

As an amateur, Sun Young Yoo had some success both here and in Korea. She was a member of the Korean national team in 2002 and 2004, and in 2004 won the Korean Amateur Championship. She also made it to the quarterfinals in the 2004 US Women’s Amateur, and finished 4th at the 2004 Women’s World Golf Team Championship.

Sun turned pro in 2005 and joined the Futures Tour, where she immediately made a big splash. She ended up making all 18 cuts and compiling 10 top tens during 2005. Thus, she hovered around the top five on the money list all year.

Sun cemented her spot in the top five, and thus her exempt tour card for the LPGA for 2006, by winning one of the last events of the year, the Betty Puskar FUTURES Golf Classic. She ended up fifth on the money list, gaining the last card. She also won Futures Tour rookie of the Year as a result.

Sun had a solid LPGA rookie campaign in 2006, easily securing her exempt status for 2007. The highlight was a 5th place finish at the John Q. Hammons in September. Her 2007 season was just a little worse, but she still maintained her exempt status for 2008 with ease.

2008 proved to be a breakout season for Sun Young. She put herself into contention several times and compiled three top four finishes in the process, including her career best finish of tied for third at the Corning Classic. She made well over $500,000 and finished in the top 30 on the money list for the first time.

Yoo continued her great play in 2009. She managed four more top tens and her best ever Major, a tie for 12th at the Nabisco. Her top moment for the year came at the P & G Beauty; she charged in the final round and wound up in a playoff with Jiyai Shin and Angela Stanford. Though she lost, it was her first ever professional playoff and career best finish. She finished the year playing for the first time at the Kyoraku Cup, and with a career best 23rd on the money list.

The 23-year old Sun Young Yoo recently broke through for her first LPGA victory at the Sybase Match Play Championship defeating Angela Stanford and she is currently ranked 21 in the world. Her next LPGA Tournament is next week in Springfield, Illinois. Asiance spoke with Sun in order to learn more about what we have yet to know about this lady golfer.

ASIANCE: How did you get into the sport of golf?

Sun: When I was 11, my dad took me to the indoor range. It was a very small range. I hit a few balls and I really liked it. South Korea.

ASIANCE: Do you play any other sports?

Sun: I play badminton and bowling for fun. I’m not really good though. (laughs)

ASIANCE: Whose career have you been watching?

Sun: When I was playing Junior golf, I used to watch Se Ri Pak and Juli Inkster playing on TV a lot. I was hoping to be like them. I was dreaming. It’s very exciting playing with them on the same tour now.

ASIANCE: Are there any upcoming players you are looking out for?

Sun: Not one specifically but I believe there will be very young talented players on tour. I think it will help the LPGA tour to become stronger and more competitive.

ASIANCE: How has South Korea treated you? Are you getting endorsements now?

Sun: I think I will realize when I go back to Korea. After I won, I received many phone calls and many people recognize me more than before.

ASIANCE: Do you look up to Jiyai Shin? What would you say about her?

Sun: She’s a great player with a very nice personality. She’s fun and she respects the other players. She’s a very nice girl.

ASIANCE: What South Korean athletes do you like?

Sun: I like Ji-sung Park, the soccer player. I saw a Korean television program on him. I could tell how hard he works and how well he does in the games. And I understood how hard it is to be from a different country. He’s a great athlete.

ASIANCE: What advice would you give to young girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

Sun: I would say, “Don’t give up”. That is the most important thing. Some people move very fast and some don’t. It took five years for me. I believe if you take time and work for it, your time will come.

ASIANCE: What other goals do you have?

Sun: I have two goals right now. First, is to finish in the top 10 in LPGA list this year. Second, is Korea and Japan play a golf match at the end of the year. I want to be part of Team Korea.

ASIANCE: Do you think you will be?

Sun: Yes

ASIANCE: Are you a fan of Kim Yu-Na at all?

Sun: I see her many times on television commercials. She is really famous. She’s really young and doing really great.

ASIANCE: Do you like Rain?

Sun: When I was in Korea a few months ago, he is always on tv. Many people like him.

ASIANCE: Why are you known as known as ‘Course Clown’? Does anyone else have a nickname on the course?

Sun: I don’t know. (laughs) I think it’s because of my personality. My friends say that I wasn’t funny when they met me for the first time, but once they get to know me, they can see the fun side of me.

ASIANCE: Who named you that?

Sun: I don’t know. I don’t think anyone else has a nickname (laughs)

ASIANCE: The ladies are getting a lot of publicity now, where do you see the world of ladies golf going?

Sun: Many people think the men’s golf is more fun to watch than the ladies golf. However, I think the ladies’ golf is getting stronger and more fun to watch. I see more people coming to watch us and think the world of ladies’ golf can be just as strong as the men’s golf. I heard that and I can tell.

ASIANCE: Do you ever get nervous or distracted when you play?

Sun: My personality is very positive. I’m not trying to find any negative things. My caddie tells me, “Just focus on your game. Play your game.” I think that works really well for me.

ASIANCE: Who’s your caddie and how did you meet?

Sun: His name is Kurt Kowaluk and he’s from Canada. One day I was looking for a caddie and my friend introduced him to me. We tried a couple of weeks and it worked really well. So I decided to keep him.

ASIANCE: Are you familiar with Cheyenne Woods at all?

Sun: Never met her before and don’t know too much about her. I think she played a LPGA event last year or two years ago.

ASIANCE: What do you do when you are not playing golf?

Sun: I like watching movies, listening to music and shopping, hanging out with friends, getting coffee.

ASIANCE: Did you know Erica Blasberg well? Anything you want to say about her sudden death?

Sun: Yes. I was in Mobile when that happened. I was in shock. Everyone was upset, I hope she rests in peace. She was pretty. She was a very nice girl. She was talented. I feel really bad for the family.

ASIANCE: How did you learn to speak English so well?

Sun: When I was in high school in Korea, we had a golf team. They set up English teacher for us. My sister studied in the States for 10 years. She helped me a lot.

Watch for Sun Young Yoo and all the other Asian female players in Springfield, Illinois, June 7-13, 2010.

bio via seoulsisters.com
pictures courtesy of www.keithallisonphoto.com