(C) KPGA

[SEOUL] After two decades of persistence, 29-year-old Moon Jun-hyuk is finally ready to make his debut on the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour. Known as a "late bloomer," Moon’s journey to the top tier of Korean golf is a testament to resilience over physical pain and financial hardship.

Moon first picked up a golf club in the 4th grade, inspired by the legendary Choi Kyoung-ju, the winningest Korean player on the PGA Tour. Although he became a KPGA full member in 2016 at the age of 20, the door to the first-tier tour remained firmly shut for nearly a decade. In the KPGA, only the top 40 finishers in the Qualifying Tournament (QT) earn a full seed for the following season. For years, Moon fell short.

Facing his 30s, Moon declared 2024 his final attempt. "I told my parents that if I didn't make it this year, I would quit," he recalled. Balancing his athletic career with running a golf academy in Jeju to support himself financially, Moon could only manage one hour of indoor practice a day. Furthermore, he battled the aftereffects of a severe car accident from high school that left him with permanent nerve damage in his right leg.

Despite these odds, Moon finished tied for 35th in this year’s QT, securing his spot for the 2025 season. His new dream is to win the SK Telecom Open, the same tournament where his idol Choi Kyoung-ju set the record as the oldest winner in KPGA history at age 54. "I want to be a golfer who gives hope to others, just as Choi did," Moon said. He plans to depart for intensive training in Thailand this January to sharpen his short game and strengthen his physical condition.