In the professional world, the players representing each tour have a huge presence. Park Sang-hyun (40) on the Korean Professional Golf 메이저놀이터 (KPGA) Korean Tour is like that. This is supported by the modifier “Korean Tour signboard” obtained by setting records such as winning 11th overall prize money rankings. Park Sang-hyun is taking on a new challenge this year. It is the conquest of the Asian Tour. Having received the Asian Tour Rookie Award in 2018, he starts 2023 with a clear goal of becoming the best player in Asia.
The first competition in the new year is also the PIF Saudi International (total prize money of 5 million dollars) before the opening of the Asian Tour in the 2023 season. Park Sang-hyun’s voice was full of anticipation ahead of the tournament held at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City for four days from the 2nd (local time). Park Sang-hyun emphasized, “Challenges are always accompanied by excitement. I look forward to what will happen in the future.”
It is the first time Park Sang-hyun has participated in the Saudi International, which is in its 4th year this year. It’s not that he didn’t have a chance to compete. Having qualified for the European Tour and the Asian Tour, he was able to participate in the tournament as a top player in the men’s golf world rankings. However, he gave up participating in the previous tournament for the sole reason that his performance did not improve.
Park Sang-hyun said, “I haven’t played golf well since 2018, when I won 3 wins on the Korean Tour and became the prize money king. Over the past 4 years, there are only a handful of tournaments where I have played satisfactorily.” .
The background behind the decision to challenge the Asian Tour is also the same. Park Sang-hyun said, “I don’t know how the results will come out, but it’s been a long time since I’ve played golf without worrying about my grades. Like in 2018, golf has been going well, so I feel comfortable.” I will do everything in my power to become the best player.”
He has been fully prepared since December of last year to have the best year ever. The reason why Park Sang-hyun, who spent a hot winter in Malaysia and Thailand, joined the club nearly a month earlier than usual is for the three Asian Tour tournaments that start this month. Park Sang-hyun emphasized, “Starting with the Saudi International, I plan to participate in the International Series Oman and Qatar. As the beginning of the season is important, I increased the intensity of training more than ever before and spent the off-season.”
Park Sang-hyun, who turned 40 this year, also expressed his determination to decorate the final page of his career as a player. He said, “I plan to play for more than 10 years, but I think it’s right to challenge at a young age. This year, I will make at least one more record that can be added to my career.”