Jin Young Ko

Anybody have any info on if she is going to go to the LPGA full time or not?

Doubtful in 2018. She's not entered in Stage II of Q School. However, Stage III registration is still open to players ranked in the Top 40 in the world, and she's currently #33.

I wouldn't be surprised to see her in 2019.

Doubtful in 2018. She's not entered in Stage II of Q School. However, Stage III registration is still open to players ranked in the Top 40 in the world, and she's currently #33.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see her in 2019.

She had to have been in the top 40 on Aug. 7th. She was 47th then.

She has not shown any interest yet for joining LPGA. There are strong efforts in Korea to trying to keep many of these young talents in KLPGA. It will be interesting to see what will happen in next few years.

She has not shown any interest yet for joining LPGA. There are strong efforts in Korea to trying to keep many of these young talents in KLPGA. It will be interesting to see what will happen in next few years.

Good luck with that. The best players want to play against the World's best. The KLPGA has put up a few roadblocks, but I don't think it will have any long term effect.

I know. KLPGA upped the prize money and some other things but you are right on the money. LPGA is where the best players play so many will still come.

I think the correct spelling is "Jing Young Ko". You're welcome.

I think the correct spelling is "Jing Young Ko". You're welcome.

I've never seen that spelling/translation. It's Ko Jin-young.

I know. KLPGA upped the prize money and some other things but you are right on the money. LPGA is where the best players play so many will still come.

Aren't winners required to defend their titles in order to keep the prize money? They basically require a two year commitment, which discourages players from heading elsewhere.

I think the correct spelling is "Jing Young Ko". You're welcome.

It is pronounced as Goh Jin Young in Korean.

I think the correct spelling is "Jing Young Ko". You're welcome.

It is pronounced as Goh Jin Young in Korean.

I know that. I was trying to make a snarky allusion to the LPGA who keeps referring to a Jing Young Ko.

Well, from watching the 3rd round coverage and comments from Mike Whan discuss JY Ko, it's almost a forgone conclusion that she will have her LPGA tour card next year. Hope I didn't jinx anything as I am rooting for her, great tournament also.

It's official. Jin Young will play in the LPGA next season.

It'll be interesting to see if her caddie, Dean Herden, joins her or stays in Korea.

The overwhelming odds on favorite for 2018 LPGA Rookie of the Year. Anyone who says otherwise has no clue about the world!

Not quite as intriguing as Sung Hyun Park's debut, but almost. JYK looks to me like a supremely confident player. Rock solid swing, only 22 years old and already quite accomplished. Remember she had a runner-up finish in a major two years ago.

The overwhelming odds on favorite for 2018 LPGA Rookie of the Year. Anyone who says otherwise has no clue about the world!

I'll take the field.

The overwhelming odds on favorite for 2018 LPGA Rookie of the Year. Anyone who says otherwise has no clue about the world!

 

 

I'll take the field.

Ko is the fav....but I think Georgia Hall will be one to watch out for too for the 2018 ROY title.

If Ko wants it...she'll have to play her fair share of events.

It's official. Jin Young will play in the LPGA next season.

 

It'll be interesting to see if her caddie, Dean Herden, joins her or stays in Korea.

I think Deano does plan to come caddie for her here... But he was on the bag for Jiyai down under for the victory this past week. What a legend he is in the female golf world!

The overwhelming odds on favorite for 2018 LPGA Rookie of the Year. Anyone who says otherwise has no clue about the world!

 

 

I'll take the field.

I wasn't just talking out of my butt there. I'm not really into predictions either but when I see JYK play she strikes me as a very seasoned pro and an elite level ball striker. Arguably the best player in Korea after In Gee and Sung Hyun left for America. Jin Young has several KLPGA wins, contended in LPGA majors, is fresh off her first LPGA win and seems to be getting better and more confident. What's more it seems that she has bigger things in sight than LPGA ROY (such as winning the Australian Open this weekend).

I am not exactly going out on a limb here. I'm not even a huge JYK fan or anything but the writing's on the wall. It's really not a fair competition for ROY, much like last year (in which the LPGA ROY also won Player of the Year). The rest of the rookie class will have to chase down a top ten caliber player if they want to challenge for this award.

I agree with you legitmategolf about JYK!

Time for you to update your avatar with Sung Hyun’s new Rottweiler she got last year ( ;

I don't want to take any credit, really, I don't, but I remember posting about JY Ko a good while back, and just having this feeling watching her play that she is the new deal, even for coming out of Korea (because of so many). All I heard was crickets when I brought up her name around here, not a damn thing. I mean if you look back at that British Open from 2015 (just turned 19 at the time), she literally had no experience in a major, was playing links golf for the first time in her life, new local caddie, and had Inbee Park on her a** the last day of the tournament. She finished second for crying out loud, she did not fall out, off the face of the earth or anything. Big Picture = ROY, but I will say that at this time there are many great ladies golfers in this age category right now and I think it's awesome to see. Minjee Lee, Nelly Korda, JYK, Hannah Green, Georgia Hall...list goes on for a a little while in this 19-23 age group.

Just remember though; Kerr is still there to spoil, weather you like it or not.

I don't want to take any credit, really, I don't, but I remember posting about JY Ko a good while back, and just having this feeling watching her play that she is the new deal, even for coming out of Korea (because of so many). All I heard was crickets when I brought up her name around here, not a damn thing. I mean if you look back at that British Open from 2015 (just turned 19 at the time), she literally had no experience in a major, was playing links golf for the first time in her life, new local caddie, and had Inbee Park on her a** the last day of the tournament. She finished second for crying out loud, she did not fall out, off the face of the earth or anything. Big Picture = ROY, but I will say that at this time there are many great ladies golfers in this age category right now and I think it's awesome to see. Minjee Lee, Nelly Korda, JYK, Hannah Green, Georgia Hall...list goes on for a a little while in this 19-23 age group.

 

Just remember though; Kerr is still there to spoil, weather you like it or not.

Tremendous major talent, youre right about her. lots to like about her game

The problem is that there are a lot of players who perform spectacularly on the KLPGA, but have lackluster seasons on the LPGA. Hyo Joo Kim comes to mind. She excelled on the KLPGA, but has only won twice in three seasons on the LPGA. In Gee has one win in two seasons. Both are extremely talented, and are often in contention, but often fail to cash the winner's check.

Jin Young has the talent to win numerous times. Time will tell if she gets it done.

Time will tell if she gets it done.

Done

She flights the ball better than all the other girls. Plus her caddy DH has a major influence on her game.

Time will tell if she gets it done.

 

Done

Lol. Not so fast. One win does not make for a sensation.

That said, it does appear that she is headed for the upper echelon of players.

The problem is that there are a lot of players who perform spectacularly on the KLPGA, but have lackluster seasons on the LPGA. Hyo Joo Kim comes to mind. She excelled on the KLPGA, but has only won twice in three seasons on the LPGA. In Gee has one win in two seasons. Both are extremely talented, and are often in contention, but often fail to cash the winner's check.

 

Jin Young has the talent to win numerous times. Time will tell if she gets it done.

Time will tell if she gets it done.

 

Done

 

Lol. Not so fast. One win does not make for a sensation.

 

That said, it does appear that she is headed for the upper echelon of players.

You got some high standards! I noticed you just glossed over Jin Young Ko's first LPGA win. I thought that one was even more impressive than this one considering the field and the leaderboard. Also In Gee has been pretty successful as a member--a major championship and a Vare trophy.

I suppose you can poke some holes in JYK's resume. Maybe the influx of tour-ready pros coming from Korea has made us all kind of ho-hum. I mean this kid wins an LPGA tournament as a non-member, takes up membership and then wins in her debut. If an American kid did that she'd be on the cover of the next Sports Illustrated. Not complaining about the media ignoring foreign players; just trying to make the point that the same accomplishment could be seen as earth-shattering, if the context were slightly different. Anyways come on man, Jin Young Ko is the most talented player to hit the LPGA since...

...one year ago, I guess. Ok never mind, it is kind of ho-hum.

Time will tell if she gets it done.

 

Done

 

Lol. Not so fast. One win does not make for a sensation.

 

That said, it does appear that she is headed for the upper echelon of players.

Was just joking. But it's a pretty amazing feat to win your first event on your debut. Not many people have achieved that at any level of sport let alone the top level.

I did not gloss over Jin Young's win last season, as she was not an LPGA member. The same with In Gee when she won the U.S. Open. Each has one win now as a member of the LPGA.

I'm not downplaying her accomplishment. We've seen talented players come over from the KLPGA and fizzle. I don't expect her to do so, but it's not uncommon.

I did not gloss over Jin Young's win last season, as she was not an LPGA member. The same with In Gee when she won the U.S. Open. Each has one win now as a member of the LPGA.

 

I'm not downplaying her accomplishment. We've seen talented players come over from the KLPGA and fizzle. I don't expect her to do so, but it's not uncommon.

Many players got lucky and won a tournament; but not many won two out three LPGA tournaments like Jin Young.

Will Jin Young be better than Sung Hyun or In Gee? We won't know for at least 2-3 years.

We probably won't know until 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

What do you mean 2 out of 3? Jin Young has been in more than 3 LPGA tournaments.

For example, she missed the cut at last year's ANA, and was 71T at the 2016 ANA. She was also 28th at the 2015 Evian.