Hyo-Joo Kim is part of the leading group of South Koreans at the head of the LPGA Tour, with a major and more than 20 professional victories to her name.
Kim was born in Wonju in the Gangwon Province of South Korea in July 1995, and began playing the sport at the age of 7. She went on to have a successful amateur career, which included winning three professional tournaments across three different Asian tours before she turned pro in 2012 at the age of just 17.
2014 was a breakout year for Kim, as she won seven times. She stunned the golfing world by winning the Evian Championship on what was her major championship debut. That was sandwiched in between six other victories on the LPGA Tour of Korea, as she ran away at the top of the Money List for her home nation’s tour.
Kim has gone on to win seven times on the LPGA Tour, and has a total of 25 professional victories, including those three as an amateur. She also has top-six finishes in each of the other four major championships, and has represented her country in both the amateur and professional games.
Hyo-Joo Kim | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Hyo-Joo Kim
Born: July 14, 1995
Nationality: South Korea
Residence: Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea
Career
College: Korea University
Turned Pro: 2012
Professional Wins: 25
Highest World Ranking: 4 – March 16, 2015
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T6 (2019)
– Women’s PGA Championship – T3 (2021)
– US Women’s Open – 2nd (2018)
– Amundi Evian Championship – WON (2014)
– AIG Women’s Open – T4 (2023)
Professional Wins – 25
2012 (4) – Lotte Mart Women’s Open, Suntory Ladies Open, Swinging Skirts TLPGA Open, Hyundai China Ladies Open
2014 (7) – Kia Motors Korea Women’s Open, Kumho Tire Ladies Open, Hanwha Finance Classic, Evian Championship, Hite Jinro Championship, KB Financial Star Championship, Hyundai China Ladies Open
2015 (2) – JTBC Founders Cup, Kumho Tire Ladies Open
2016 (2) – Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, Hyundai China Ladies Open
2020 (2) – Lotte Cantata Ladies Open, KB Financial Group Star Championship
2021 (3) – HSBC Women’s World Championship, OKSavingsBank Se Ri Pak Invitational, SK Networks Seokyung Ladies Classic
2022 (1) – Lotte Championship
2023 (1) – Volunteers of America Classic
2024 (1) – Aramco Team Series – Korea
2025 (2) – Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, Aramco Team Series – Seoul
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Achievements and Awards
LPGA Tour of Korea Leading Money Winner – 2014, 2020
Hyo-Joo Kim | What’s In Her Bag?
Kim plays mainly Yonex clubs, with an EZONE GT driver and hybrid, along with two fairway woods. She also uses EZONE CB 701 and 501 irons, along with Titleist Vokey Design wedges and an Odyssey putter. The South Korean plays with the Titleist Pro V1x golf ball.
You can see our full piece on what is in Kim’s bag here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hyo-Joo Kim
When and where was Hyo-Joo Kim born?
Hyo-Joo Kim was born in Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea in July 1995. She took up the game at the age of 7, and went on to have a successful amateur career
When did Hyo-Joo Kim turn professional?
Hyo-Joo Kim turned professional in 2012 after graduating from Korea University, having already won three professional tournaments during her amateur career.
How many LPGA Tour titles has Hyo-Joo Kim won?
As of March 2024, Hyo-Joo Kim is a seven-time winner on the LPGA Tour. Those six wins include a major title – the 2014 Evian Championship. She has 25 victories in total during her career.
Did you Know?
Winning Her Major Debut
Kim’s first victory on the LPGA Tour came in September 2014 at the Evian Championship. In doing so, her maiden major title was also her maiden LPGA Tour victory.
Not only was it her first major championship and her first LPGA Tour title, but it was also the South Korean’s first appearance at a major championship. She has gone on to record at least two top-ten finishes in each of the other four major championships.
Single Round Major Record
During her Evian Championship victory, Kim shot a record-low 61. That was matched by both Leona Maguire and Jeong-eun Lee in 2021, also at the Evian Resort in France.
Wins on Three Tours as an Amateur
Before turning professional in 2012, Kim had already secured victories on three professional tours. She won the Lotte Mart Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour of Korea, the Suntory Ladies Open on the LPGA Tour of Japan, and the Swinging Skirts TLPGA Open on the LPGA Tour of Taiwan.
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Other Hyo-Joo Kim Articles
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