Despite not having yet teed off in this year's LPGA Tour, 22-year-old rookie Yoon Ina is already being hailed as a global star. Numerous domestic and international companies are vying for her endorsement, recognizing her immense commercial potential.
The South Korean golfer, who swept the KLPGA Tour last year, winning the Player of the Year, Money Title, and Lowest Scoring Average, qualified for the LPGA Tour via Q-School. Her move to the US has seen a complete overhaul of her sponsorship portfolio, from apparel and equipment to major and minor endorsements.
On Friday, Ina announced a two-year endorsement deal with Philippine-based Bloomberry Resorts. Under the agreement, she will sport the Solaire cap, a casino resort brand under the Bloomberry Resorts umbrella. Notably, world number one Ko Jin-young is also sponsored by Solaire.
Industry sources suggest that the deal is worth a staggering US$1 million, ten times her previous earnings in Korea. "Yoon Ina has a massive following, both male and female, and companies believe she can significantly enhance their brand visibility," said an industry insider, adding that her past controversies have not deterred sponsors.
Unlike many domestic sponsors, Bloomberry Resorts is offering unlimited performance-based incentives. For instance, Ina is set to receive 70% of her winnings for each LPGA Tour victory and 50% for top-10 finishes. Given that the US Women's Open champion earns US$2.4 million, Ina could potentially earn more from incentives than her base salary.
With multiple sub-sponsorships in place, Ina has become a walking billboard. She has inked deals with six companies this year, including domestic brands like 대한항공 and BBQ. The airline has even enrolled her in its Excellence Program, granting her complimentary first-class tickets for a year.
Ina will be exclusively using TaylorMade equipment and apparel on the LPGA Tour. Industry sources estimate that she received around US$400,000 for switching to TaylorMade.
With the LPGA Tour's Rookie of the Year award in her sights, Ina has been named one of Golfweek's six rookies to watch. Her debut tournament is expected to be the Founders Cup in early February.
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