KLPGA No. 1 Hyunjo Yoo hopes to compete on the LPGA Tour within the next two years after showing her potential against the world’s best players at the U.S. Women’s Open.
“I hope I can introduce myself on the LPGA stage next year or the year after,” Yoo said.
The 21-year-old did not hide her ambition to compete on the world’s biggest women’s golf tour after completing her second appearance at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Although the final round ended with some disappointment, Yoo showed that she has the ability to compete with elite international players.
Yoo is currently one of the brightest rising stars on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.
She won the KLPGA Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and followed it by claiming the tour’s top player honor in 2025, quickly establishing herself as one of the leading golfers in South Korea.
This year’s U.S. Women’s Open marked Yoo’s second appearance in the major championship.
During her debut last year, she struggled with an unfamiliar course and difficult conditions. This time, however, she used that experience to approach the tournament with greater composure.
Speaking with The Korea Daily after the third round on June 6, Yoo said last year’s experience helped her manage the course more effectively.
“Last year, I thought the course was extremely difficult, and that made it feel even harder,” Yoo said. “But because of that experience, I was able to play a little more comfortably this year.”
Yoo identified her improved ability to save par as the biggest difference from her first appearance.
“My percentage of saving par was higher than last year,” she said.
Her steadier play was evident throughout much of the tournament.
Yoo was tied for third after both the first and second rounds and remained within reach of the leaders in a tie for eighth after the third round.
“My shots were good from the first day, so I had a lot of opportunities, and the putts dropped when I needed them to,” Yoo said. “My ball-striking was not quite as strong later in the tournament, but I was able to stay in contention by saving pars with my short game.”
The tournament also gave Yoo a clearer understanding of the differences between the KLPGA and LPGA tours.
“The courses are completely different,” she said. “On KLPGA courses, I think you can sometimes manage without an outstanding short game. Here, you need a wider variety of skills both to lower your score and to protect it.”
Yoo also confirmed one of her strongest weapons during the championship: her driver.
“My driver was working extremely well,” she said. “It created a lot of opportunities on the par-5 holes, and that allowed me to make birdies.”
At the same time, Yoo acknowledged that her short game and putting still require improvement.
“I think I am still lacking in my short game and putting,” she said.
Her comments reflect the demands of succeeding on the LPGA Tour, where distance and strong ball-striking must be matched by the ability to save strokes in difficult situations.
Yoo said the biggest change in her game this season has been her mindset.
She felt impatient last year as she waited for a victory, but she has played with greater calm and control this season.
“I think my mind control is better than it was last year,” Yoo said. “I am trying to play more comfortably now, and I think I have been able to stay calmer because of that.”
Yoo’s ambitions extend beyond the KLPGA Tour.
While she has set winning the KLPGA multiple-title crown as her primary domestic goal, she also hopes to compete in as many major championships as possible and gain experience in different countries.
“My ultimate goal on the KLPGA Tour is to win the most tournaments,” Yoo said. “I plan to play in every major I can, not only the U.S. Women’s Open. I think gaining experience in different countries is very important.”
Her desire to join the LPGA Tour is equally clear, although she does not intend to rush the move.
Yoo said competing on the LPGA has always been part of her plans.
“If my game is truly ready, I would like to make the attempt next year or the year after,” she said.
