 |
| Kim Min-sol / Photo: Kwon Kwang-il |
Rookie Kim Min-sol has been named a candidate for the KLPGA Player of the Year award for the 2026 season.
The KLPGA held its 2026 season opening ceremony on the afternoon of the 25th at The Hyundai Seoul on Yeouidaero in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul.
The event featured the 18th class of KLPGA promotional models for 2026 — Kim Min-sol, Park Gyeol, Park Min-ji, Park Hyun-kyung, Park Hye-jun, Bae So-hyun, Yoo Hyun-jo, Lee Ga-young, Lee Se-hee, Lee Yul-lin, Lim Hee-jung, and Hong Jeong-min — who shared their thoughts and goals for the new season.
Among the skilled and charismatic players gathered, Kim Min-sol emerged as a standout candidate for the 2026 KLPGA Player of the Year.
Last year, Kim captured attention with four victories on the Dream Tour. In August she entered the BC Card·Korea Economic Daily Ladies Cup as a recommended player and produced a surprise win that secured her regular-season status. She added another triumph in October at the Dongbu Construction·Korea Land & Trust Championship, finishing the season with two KLPGA titles.
However, she fell short of the required number of events to qualify for the Rookie of the Year award, so she will officially begin her rookie season this year. Having already proven her game on the KLPGA circuit, she had been a leading contender for Rookie of the Year and is now also being discussed as a Player of the Year contender.
Lim Hee-jung said, \"Kim Min-sol hits the ball a long way and has an excellent short game. With more experience, I think she can be a serious Player of the Year candidate.\"
Park Hyun-kyung also praised her, saying, \"When I think of Player of the Year candidates, the name that immediately comes to mind is Kim Min-sol. She has length off the tee and well-rounded technical skills, so I expect she'll have a strong season.\"
Kim Min-sol responded, \"The senior players have named me as a Player of the Year candidate, and my goal is to live up to their expectations.\"
She added, \"As I start my rookie season and take on the role of a KLPGA promotional model, everything still feels new. I'll learn a lot from the seniors and work to show my best on and off the course.\"
[Sports Today reporter Lee Sang-pil sports@stoo.com]
「The closest, most fun news ⓒ Sports Today」
