<Women's Golf> ”Korean golf genius girl” Lee Hyo Song becomes the youngest player ever to win the ”JLPGA Awards 2024” Rookie of the Year Award

South Korean golf prodigy Lee Hyo Song (16) has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest player ever to win the Rookie of the Year award on the 2024 Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour.
Lee Hyo Song, a member of the Hana Financial Group, received the "JLPGA Meiji Yasuda" award at the awards ceremony "JLPGA Awards 2024" held at a hotel in Tokyo on the 17th.
Born on November 11, 2008, Lee Hyo Song turned 16 last month and is the youngest winner of the Rookie of the Year award, making history in Japanese golf.
Lee Hyo Song won the World Ladies Championship, a major tournament on the JLPGA Tour, in May.
She won the amateur tournament, the Salonpas Cup, and earned the right to join the JLPGA.
At the time, Lee Hyo Song won at the age of 15 years and 176 days, setting a new record as the youngest winner in the history of the JLPGA Tour, which was founded in 1968.
Lee Hyo Song said, "I am deeply grateful to Hana Financial Group for believing in me and providing me with generous support and encouragement since my amateur days.
Due to a special opportunity, she played professionally in the JLPGA rather than the KLPGA (Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association), and won the once-in-a-lifetime Rookie of the Year award.
I feel honored to be able to do this. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has always supported and cheered me on. I realize the high wall of the professional stage is, but I will concentrate on winter training and prepare for the new year.
"I want to show you a better performance," she said after receiving the award. Immediately after winning the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, Lee Hyo Song announced that she would turn professional.
With special permission from the club, Lee Hyo Song joined the club on July 23rd, making her eligible for the Rookie of the Year award. The JLPGA said, "Lee Hyo Song has achieved the great feat of being the youngest player to win a major tournament this year, so we are awarding her the Rookie of the Year award.
Unlike the Korean and US LPGA tours, where the rookie of the year award is given based on points earned during the season, Japan awards the rookie of the year who has performed the most brilliantly.
Since joining the JLPGA Tour, Lee Hyo Song has competed in eight tournaments, with her best result being a tie for 45th place, but she is gradually gaining recognition for adapting to the Japanese professional stage.
Lee Hyo Song accompanied his grandfather to practice golf and became seriously involved with golf at the age of 9. Lee Hyo Song was selected for the South Korean national team in 2024 and performed well.