Hyo Joo Kim Bio
Hyo Joo Kim, born on July 14, 1995, is a South Korean professional golfer who competes on both the LPGA of Korea Tour and the LPGA Tour. She first drew global attention in 2014 when she won the Evian Championship in her major debut and set the record for the lowest 18-hole score at a major championship, carding a 61 in the opening round. Since joining the LPGA Tour in 2015, she has added multiple titles across tours and remains one of the leading figures in women’s golf.
Early Life and Background
Hyo Joo Kim was born on July 14, 1995, in Wonju, Gangwon Province, South Korea. She grew up in South Korea and developed an early interest in golf, a sport with deep roots in her home country. Her training during childhood laid the foundation for a rapid rise through the ranks of competitive junior and amateur golf in South Korea.
Her consistent results in domestic events during her teenage years positioned her as one of the country’s most promising young players. As she transitioned into the amateur circuit, Kim continued to refine her game, ultimately earning the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of the professional game. She later enrolled at Korea University, balancing her academic commitments with an increasingly demanding tournament schedule.
Path to Professional Golf
Kim turned professional in 2012, beginning her career on the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her early seasons on the domestic circuit were marked by strong finishes and steady improvement, giving her the platform to test herself against more experienced competitors. By her early twenties, she had already established herself as a consistent contender on the Korean Tour.
The 2014 season represented her breakthrough on the global stage. She earned a spot in the Evian Championship and made the most of her first major appearance, winning the title and recording a 61 in the first round to set the record for the lowest 18-hole score in a major championship. That victory announced her arrival among the elite players in women’s golf and opened the door to international competition.
Hyo Joo Kim Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Kim began her professional career in 2012 on the LPGA of Korea Tour, where she quickly adapted to the demands of weekly competition. Her early results included several top finishes that established her as a player to watch on the domestic circuit. By the end of 2014, she had earned recognition as one of the leading money winners on the LPGA of Korea Tour.
Her most significant early achievement came at the 2014 Evian Championship, where she won her first major title in her debut appearance. The victory, combined with her historic 61 in the opening round, provided a clear signal that she possessed the talent to compete at the highest level of the sport.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2015–Present)
Following her major victory in 2014, Hyo Joo Kim accepted membership on the LPGA Tour beginning with the 2015 season. Her transition to the global tour was smooth, and she has since accumulated multiple LPGA Tour wins. Her record also includes co-sanctioned victories with the Ladies European Tour, reflecting her standing in both circuits.
Across her career, Kim has posted victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, and the LPGA Tour, demonstrating her versatility across different playing conditions and course types. She has been a consistent presence in the upper portion of the Women’s World Golf Rankings at the end of calendar years, reflecting her sustained level of performance.
Her career on the LPGA Tour includes seven LPGA Tour victories, with a playoff record reflecting both her willingness to compete in extended finishes and the narrow margins that often accompany her contests. She has also represented South Korea in team competitions, appearing in both amateur and professional team events.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kim is recognized for her consistent ball-striking and calm demeanor on the course. Her strength with approach shots and iron play has allowed her to compete on a wide variety of course layouts, while her putting has produced the kind of low rounds that have defined her biggest wins, including her record-setting 61 at the 2014 Evian Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of her career is her victory at the 2014 Evian Championship, where she became a major champion in her first major start and set the record for the lowest 18-hole score at a major with a 61. She has also been recognized as the LPGA of Korea Tour leading money winner in 2014 and again in 2020, underscoring her sustained excellence on the domestic circuit.
Hyo Joo Kim Career Wins
Across her professional career, Hyo Joo Kim has built a diverse win portfolio spanning multiple tours. Her victories include titles on the LPGA Tour, the LPGA of Korea Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, and the Ladies European Tour, in addition to her major championship triumph at the 2014 Evian Championship.
LPGA Tour Highlights
Kim has recorded seven LPGA Tour victories since joining the tour in 2015. Several of these wins have come through co-sanctioned events with the Ladies European Tour, highlighting her impact across both circuits. She has also experienced the intensity of LPGA Tour playoffs, with a career playoff record that reflects her competitive approach in extended finishes.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the LPGA Tour, Kim has accumulated 14 wins on the LPGA of Korea Tour, one victory on the LPGA of Japan Tour, and additional wins on the Ladies European Tour. Her total of 25 professional wins across tours underscores her consistency and ability to perform at a high level in different competitive environments.
Hyo Joo Kim Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hyo Joo Kim was born and raised in South Korea, growing up in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Her upbringing in a country with a strong golf tradition helped shape her early development in the sport, and her family supported her progression from junior competitions through the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Kim is a South Korean national who resides in South Korea. She pursued higher education at Korea University, balancing her studies with a demanding professional golf career that has kept her active on multiple tours since 2012.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Hyo Joo Kim continues her career as an established veteran on both the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Korea Tour. Her official LPGA Tour statistics reflect another active campaign, with her ongoing participation in tournaments reinforcing her status as a consistent competitor in the women’s game.
Her career totals of 25 professional wins, including seven on the LPGA Tour, provide a strong foundation for her 2025 season. With experience across multiple tours and conditions, she remains positioned to add to her win tally and contend in major championships throughout the year.
Looking ahead, Kim’s combination of proven major-championship pedigree and sustained performance on the Korean and global tours suggests she will remain a factor in title contention. Her continued presence in the Women’s World Golf Rankings reflects the durability of her game and the high level she has maintained since her breakout in 2014.