South Korea's next-generation golfers are set to test their skills against top amateurs from 20 countries.
The South Korean team of Kim Seo-a, Kim Gyu-bin, Son Je-i and Cheon Ji-yul will compete in the Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship, held over three days starting Thursday at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas. Kim Seo-a and Kim Gyu-bin will play in the women's division, while Son Je-i and Cheon Ji-yul will compete in the men's. The tournament brings together 80 players — two men and two women from each of 20 countries, including South Korea, the United States, England, Australia, Sweden, Spain and Thailand.
At the most recent edition in 2024, South Korea's team of Ahn Seong-hyeon, Kim Min-su, Jeong Min-seo and Oh Su-min finished joint runner-up in the overall standings alongside Spain with a total score of 39 under par. Oh claimed a silver medal in the women's individual event. This year's squad aims to build on that result and contend for medals again.
Founded in 2001, the Spirit International has served as a proving ground for the world's top amateur golfers. Countries receive invitations based on combined men's and women's results at the World Amateur Team Championships, with each national golf association selecting its representatives. The event's prestige rests on its tradition of fielding elite national squads and its long history of producing future stars. Opening and closing ceremonies and an international athletes' village round out the experience, blending competition with cultural exchange.
The tournament's roll call of past champions is remarkable. Scottie Scheffler of the United States led the American team to the overall and men's team titles in 2013. Jordan Spieth and Lexi Thompson, also of the United States, were part of the 2009 American squad that won the overall title, with Thompson also taking gold in the women's team and individual events. Lorena Ochoa of Mexico swept the overall, women's team and women's individual titles in 2001. Brooke Henderson of Canada claimed the women's individual gold medal in 2013.
Korean players have also left their mark on the event. In 2007, Kim Se-young and Yang Su-jin won the women's team title, and in 2011 Kim Hyo-joo and Baek Gyu-jeong claimed the same crown. In 2019, Lee Jeong-hyeon and Yun I-na combined for another women's team gold. This year's squad steps onto the course as the next group to carry that legacy forward.
The competition is played over 54 holes of four-ball stroke play, with each two-player team recording the better of the two scores on every hole. The men's and women's team totals are combined to determine the overall national standings, while separate men's and women's team rankings are also decided. Because one player's aggressive approach can be supported by a partner's steadier game, course management and on-course chemistry matter as much as individual talent.
The Korean players also bring shared international experience to the event. Son Je-i and Cheon Ji-yul finished runner-up together in the men's team event at this year's Asia-Pacific Junior Championship. Kim Gyu-bin won the mixed-team title at the same tournament alongside Son. How well the squad's familiarity with one another's games translates into results will be one of the storylines to watch.
sports@heraldcorp.com
