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| Park Min-ji / Photo: Kwon Kwang-il |
However, Park failed to notch a win last year for the first time in her career. From 2017 through 2024 she had recorded at least one victory each season, but that streak ended last year. Her pursuit of the KLPGA's all-time wins record — 20 titles, held jointly by the late Ku Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae — has been delayed.
Park attended the 2026 KLPGA opening ceremony at The Hyundai Seoul on Yeouidaero in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 25th and said, \"I'm entering my 10th year on tour, and last season was the only one without a win. But not winning has become a turning point. It feels like I can start over like a rookie.\" She added the comment with clear determination.
Even without a win, Park remains one of the tour's top competitors. She posted seven top-10 finishes during her winless season, proving she stayed in form. She opened the 2026 season with a tie for 20th at the Rejuran Championship.
Park emphasized her priority this year: \"I'm not focused on reaching 20 wins — I'm focused on getting one victory.\"
Her health is solid. After struggling with nerve pain (a third episode) in 2024, she has fully recovered. \"My condition is great,\" Park said with a laugh. \"Honestly, I was quite healthy last year too, but so many people thought I was sick that I half-joked I should have pretended to be ill.\"
Experience is another of Park's assets. \"I'm 27 by international age, 29 by Korean age, which puts me about nine to ten years ahead of some rookies,\" she said. \"To compete, I rely on the experience of a 29-year-old, but I also learn from the younger players' passion.\"
At the event she also announced a 2026 season promise: \"I'll need to coordinate with the golf course, but if I win, I want to pull three flags from the winning round, sign them and give them to fans,\" she pledged.
[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
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