At just 22 years old, Yumin Hwang stunned the golf world by clinching the Lotte Championship title and securing an LPGA Tour card—all without going through Q-Series. In her post-win reflections, she confessed, “I still can’t believe I won. Even after it happened, I kept thinking, ‘Wow, is this real?’” 다음+2매일경제+2
Hwang recalled how in Round 2 she shot a career-best 10 under 62, vaulting into solo first. 다음+1 Though she slipped in Round 3 with a 3-stroke setback, she responded brilliantly in the final day, stringing together four consecutive birdies down the stretch to complete a dramatic comeback. 다음+2매일경제+2
Her final stretch was particularly memorable: on the 18th hole, faced with a bunker and hazard in front, she attacked the pin, executed a bold chip shot, and secured the winning birdie. 다음+2매일경제+2 She said that moment felt like a dream, especially when Kim Hyo-joo—her longtime idol and role model—gave her a thumbs up off the green. 한국경제+2매일경제+2
Asked about her mindset going forward, Hwang noted a shift in philosophy. She said she would no longer rely on constant “full assault” play. Instead, she aims to become more adaptive and thoughtful, distinguishing times to press versus times to play safely. 다음
Looking ahead, she spoke with excitement about her new LPGA career: “I’ve canceled my Q-Series entry—I don’t need it now,” she said with a laugh. 매일경제+1 Her long-term goals are vivid: to win many titles, retain her LPGA card until retirement, and one day represent Korea in the Olympics. 다음+2매일경제+2
Despite the fairy-tale win, Hwang stayed grounded. She stressed the importance of fundamentals—grip, address, consistent routine—and reiterated that she values the process over the result. 매일경제+1 She also revealed her practice of drinking milk daily to maintain weight and how she experimented early on to find what routines suit her best. 매일경제
Hwang closed by expressing gratitude to her sponsors, her family, and fans. “To win this as a sponsor invite was special,” she said. But more than that, she said this isn’t the end—it’s only the beginning. 매일경제+2다음+2