(C) LPGA
SEOUL, South Korea — Hwang Yu-min, nicknamed the 'Attack Leader' (돌격대장) for her aggressive, long-hitting style of play, has been recognized as the most popular star on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour for the second consecutive year. This honor solidifies her status as one of the sport’s most compelling figures as she prepares to transition to the global stage of the LPGA Tour.
A Meaningful Consecutive Win
Hwang Yu-min claimed the Popularity Award at the 2025 KLPGA Awards Ceremony, held on November 28th at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas Grand Ballroom. Winning the award twice in a row is a significant achievement, placing her in an elite group of only four players in KLPGA history to accomplish the feat, following Park Sung-hyun (2015-2016), Choi Hye-jin (2018-2019), and Im Hee-jeong (2021-2022).
The KLPGA Popularity Award holds immense weight as its recipient is determined entirely by an online fan vote. This year’s voting process took place from November 19th to 26th, involving 124 players who were active on the regular KLPGA Tour and secured a spot on the money list. Hwang engaged in a fierce week-long battle for the top spot, primarily against rival Park Hyun-kyung, ultimately emerging victorious.
The Rise of a Star: Power and Charisma
Hwang, who made her professional debut in 2023, instantly captured the attention of fans and media alike. Despite her relatively slender frame at 163cm, her powerful swing and fearless, attacking approach—always prioritizing distance off the tee—earned her the monikers "Long-Hitting Queen" and "Attack Leader."
Her on-course success has been rapid and consistent:
She secured her maiden victory in her debut year at the Daeu Winia MBN Ladies Open.
She added a second win the following year at the Doosan Construction We've Championship.
Most recently, she clinched her third KLPGA title this year at the Dabo HouseD Championship.
Launching to the LPGA Tour
Hwang Yu-min's career took a significant international leap in October when she participated in the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship in Hawaii as an invited non-member. In a stunning performance, she triumphed at the event, earning her a full-time LPGA Tour card for the next two years.
This victory marked a pivotal moment, allowing her to bypass the traditional LPGA Q-School process and immediately join the world's premier women's golf circuit. Hwang is scheduled to make her highly anticipated LPGA Tour debut at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January next year.
The back-to-back Popularity Award victories underscore that as Hwang Yu-min takes her aggressive game to the global arena, she does so with the immense backing and passionate support of her South Korean fan base, proving that her star power shines as brightly as her performance on the course.
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