grapplegraphics.com By Joo Young-ro [Korea Daily Star] “If she hits it farther than me, she’s the farthest player in the world.”
Kim Ah-rim (28) said this as she looked forward to facing off against the new ‘longest hitter’ of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, Bang Shin-sil 카지노(19).
“I’ve seen a lot about Bang’s long-hitting ability on the news,” Kim said at the press conference for the KLPGA Tour’s Hanwha Classic (total prize money of 1.7 billion won) at Jade Palace Golf Club (Par 72) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on March 23. “I remember watching her when I was a middle school student and being surprised that she was so tall and had long limbs. “I think he’s hitting it farther now, but I think I’ll have to come down from the top,” he said, adding that he appreciates his junior’s long-hitting ability more.
Kim has been recognized for her long-hitting ability since her professional debut.
When she faced Inbee Park in the final of the 2018 Doosan Match Play Championship, she quickly became a fan favorite for her overwhelming long game. Although she lost the match, she was able to add 20 to 30 meters to her tee shot distance.
Kim’s long game has also earned her the No. 1 average drive distance on the LPGA Tour. From 2018 (259.1 yards) to 2019 (262.5 yards) and 2020 (259.5 yards), she led the KLPGA Tour in driving distance average before moving to the LPGA Tour. She is the first and only player to lead the KLPGA Tour in longest drive three years in a row since 2008, when records began being kept.
After moving to the LPGA Tour in 2021, Kim has also shown off her long game in the United States. She ranked fifth in her rookie year (276.76 yards) and fifth last year (274.74 yards). This year, she’s averaging 269.6 yards.
He’s never been number one on the list. However, Kim is the undisputed “longest hitter” of the tournament.
The average distance of her drives is only measured on a set number of holes in each tournament. Her average distance is different from her maximum distance because she doesn’t only use a driver, but also tee shots with woods and irons.
Although Kim rated her junior’s long game higher, she said she wouldn’t back down in a head-to-head match.
“I’m still not behind anyone in terms of my long game,” Kim said, “I’ve played against a lot of long hitters on the LPGA Tour, but I’ve never felt like I was behind in terms of distance. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do against Bang tomorrow.” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone on the LPGA Tour hit it farther than me, so if she hits it farther than me, I think she’ll be the longest player in the world,” she added, predicting a no-holds-barred long-hitting showdown.
Bang made her KLPGA Tour debut this year and is a self-proclaimed long-hitting queen. She has participated in 13 tournaments this year and has an average drive distance of 267.2 yards. It’s hard to tell if she’s better than Kim based on her record alone.
Kim and Bang will tee off on the 10th hole at 8:25 a.m. on Sept. 23 along with Park Hyun-kyung for the first round.
With a total prize fund of 1.7 billion won, an increase of 300 million won this year, the Hanwha Classic is the KLPGA Tour’s highest-paying event. The first place prize is worth 360 million won.
Along with Kim, former World No. 1 Ataya Thititjerin (Thailand), Shin Ji-eun, Ji-hee Ji, and Kim Yeon-kyung from the LPGA Tour, as well as overseas players such as Lee Min-young from the Japan Ladies Professional Golf (JLPGA) Tour, will compete with the KLPGA players for the title.
Players participating in the Hanwha Classic vow to do well at a photo call event on Wednesday. From left, Shin Ji-eun, Kim Ah-rim, Hong Ji-won, Ataya Thititjang, and Sung Yoo-jin. (Photo courtesy of Hanwha Classic)