Women's Golfer Kim Hyo-joo: "I was so nervous in Tokyo I want to win the gold medal in Paris"
Women's Golfer Kim Hyo-joo: "I was so nervous in Tokyo I want to win the gold medal in Paris"
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Kim Hyo-joo (28), who will compete in the golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recalled the regret from three years ago
and expressed her determination to win a gold medal.
Kim Hyo-joo said, "I really want to win an Olympic gold medal," after finishing the first round of the Lotte Open (total
prize money of 1.2 billion won) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour held at the Bears Best
Cheongna Golf Club USA/Australia Course (par 72) in Incheon on the 4th.
Kim Hyo-joo said with a smile, "My father told me, 'This might be my last Olympics, so please come to your senses and do
it,'" and then expressed her aspirations, saying, "I will compete with the thought that this is my last and with the desire to
win the gold medal."
Kim Hyo-joo's earnestness originated from the 2020 Tokyo Games.
At the time, the Korean women's golf team boasted the strongest lineup, consisting of world No. 2 Jin-young Ko, No. 3 In-
bee Park, No. 4 Sei-young Kim, and No. 6 Hyo-joo Kim.
In particular, Inbee Park was a gold medalist at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and the national team was coached by
golf legend Se Ri Pak.
However, Jin-young Ko and Sei-young Kim tied for 9th place, Hyo-joo Kim tied for 15th place, and In-bee Park tied for
23rd place, ending the tournament on a bitter 합법 note.
Kim Hyo-joo, currently ranked 13th in the world, said, "I was so nervous in Tokyo. I felt it by myself," and added, "I think
I'll do better this time because I'll be a lot less nervous than I was then."
Kim Hyo-joo said, "I have about three weeks to prepare for the Olympics," and that she will focus on improving her long-
distance hitting ability.
Kim Hyo-joo said, "I heard that because the tee shot landing point (on the Olympic course) is narrow, precision is required
and those who hit straight and safely have an advantage," and added, "I think iron shots are also important, but I think it
will be more comfortable if the shot distance is long, so I think I will do a lot of physical exercise."
He seemed excited at the thought of wearing the Taegeuk mark, which is rare for a golfer.
Golf was adopted as an official Olympic sport for the first time in 110 years through the 2016 Rio Games. It was the first
time for women's golf in 116 years since the 1900 Paris Games.
Kim Hyo-joo said, "I've only ever seen it on TV, and during Rio, I thought, 'I want to go there too.' I think it'll be really fun
to be able to see athletes from other sports that I used to cheer for on TV," and added, "Of course, I'll feel pressure because
I'm representing my country, but I think it'll be a fun festival."
On this day, Kim Hyo-joo, who returned to the KLPGA Tour after 1 year and 1 month, shot an even-par 72 with 1 birdie
and 1 bogey.
Kim Hyo-joo, who was in the same group as Park Ji-young (1 under par) and Park Min-ji (1 over par), said, "We jokingly
said, 'Why is it only our group that's like this? Let's all submit our scores and meet on the (practice) green,'" and added, "In
the first half, my shot timing wasn't right and I was disappointed with my putts all day."
Kim Hyo-joo, who made a birdie on the 8th hole (par 4) in the latter half, said, "I made a birdie at the last minute, so I
think tomorrow will be okay."