SEOUL SEARCHING: DANIELLE KANG HOPING FOR TURNING POINT AT ARAMCO TEAM SERIES PRESENTED BY PIF – KOREA

Danielle Kang painted a rejuvenated figure joining up with the Ladies European Tour (LET) ranks this week, as the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF prepares to tee off in Seoul for the first time. 

For Kang, who last competed on the LET in 2023, the opportunity to feed off the positive energy that the team event brings was too good to turn down. The Solheim Cup star is hoping that this change of environment can be a needed optimistic boost to her game. 

“For me to come out on a different Tour was one of my main reasons behind playing here. Aramco have always been great to me and giving me opportunities to compete, especially on the Ladies European Tour. Everybody is happier and I feel really light - that's the difference I feel this week.

“Selfishly I came out here because I really do like the Aramco Team Series. I love the team vibe but I'm hoping that this will be a turning point in my career where I’m not just playing on the LPGA but becoming that competitive golfer that I wanted to become again.

“I'm going to be able to ride the momentum from this Aramco Team Series in Seoul and that's the reason why I really wanted to compete.” 

Kang narrowly missed out on both the individual and team title at the equivalent event in Singapore in 2023 – and the American is determined to avenge that near miss this time around. 

Joining Kang in the field is South Korean stalwart Hyo-Joo Kim, who is in the final stages of preparation before making her series debut. Hyo-Joo Kim aims to draw support from the home crowd to secure a victory and keep the trophy firmly on Korean soil.  

“It feels very new because the tournament takes on a very unique format. So rather than being nervous I'm more excited and my goal is to grasp the team title.  

“I feel really excited to play in Korea because there are a lot of Korean fans and it's going to be a great way for me to kick off the new season.” 

Stepping into unchartered territory with a new tournament format, Hyo-Joo Kim is bracing herself for the challenge posed by rival teams headed up by the likes of Charley Hull and Danielle Kang. 

“The goal is just to bring out everyone's best performance. Regarding picking players, I don't have anyone in mind but whoever I become a team with I just hope everyone brings their best performance.”

Amongst the field emerges the next generation of Korean golf, Jo-Eun Kim. Born in Saudi Arabia, Jo-Eun Kim grew up playing golf at Riyadh Golf Club, the host of the series’ Riyadh event, before moving to South Korea.  

Despite her youth, the 20-year-old is no stranger to the series having competed in Singapore last year as an amateur. Jo-Eun Kim’s transition to the professional ranks in this event underscores the tournament's dedication to fostering the growth of women's golf. 

This Wednesday evening, the lineup of the 36 teams, each comprising three professionals and one lucky amateur, will be determined as the teams are finalised at the tournament’s unique draft party. 

As the second and third highest-ranked players in the field, captains Hyo-Joo Kim and Danielle Kang will make the last few selections. With their sights set on victory, both are eager to assemble winning teams that will compete for a portion of the $500K team prize purse.