Jeon Ji-won and Kang Min-ji earn LPGA Tour cards

Two Korean golfers have earned their 2024 LPGA Tour cards after finishing among the top 10 women’s golfers at the end of this year's Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying championship for up-and-coming athletes.

Korea's Kang Min-ji, center, raises a glass during the LPGA card ceremony after the final round of The Epson Tour Championship at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sunday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Two Korean golfers have earned their 2024 LPGA Tour cards after finishing among the top 10 women’s golfers at the end of this year's Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying championship for up-and-coming athletes.

Korea’s Jeon Ji-won, 26, and Kang Min-ji, 23, placed fourth and fifth respectively on the 2023 Epson Tour list, earning them coveted membership status in the LPGA.

Jeon previously held LPGA status in 2020, her rookie year, but entered the Epson Tour — a step down from the LPGA — after 2022, when she was cut from four of six tournaments.

“It’s been a ride, so many ups and downs, but I proved to myself this year that I’m good enough to play on the LPGA Tour,” Jeon said in a statement.

Jeon finished the season with two Epson wins — the Inova Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship, along with this year’s French Lick Resort Charity Classic, becoming the third woman to win it twice.

“Two wins this year means a lot and proved to myself that I deserve to win and to play on the LPGA Tour, so I’m very happy," Jeon said.

Kang will make her LPGA debut next year after playing all 22 tournaments in the 2023 Epson Tour, her rookie season.

She earned a total $112,342 — coming close behind Jeon’s $115,772 — along with a coveted LPGA tour spot. Kang bagged eight top-10 finishes but ended the season with zero tournament wins, making her one of three golfers on the 2023 Epson Tour list to earn their LPGA cards without a title.

Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels, 23, topped the 2023 Epson Tour money list with $159,926 in total season earnings and three tournament wins — the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, the Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes and the Four Winds Invitational in Indiana.

Golfers can also qualify for the LPGA through the Q-Series, set to be held at the end of November.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]