Rookie Profile: Shi Hyun Ahn

Shi Hyun Ahn became a professional golfer in 2002 at the age of 18. Almost immediately, she had a lot of success, winning honors as the top player on the Korean Dream Tour, which is the learning tour for golf pros in Korea. The next year, as a rookie on the KLPGA, she shocked the country by beating a field of top LPGA players at the CJ 9 Bridges Classic. She is thus the only rookie in this year's class who comes into the league already a LPGA tournament winner!

The win earned Shi Hyun a two year membership on the LPGA tour. It also got her a chance to play in the LPGA Tournament of Champions in Mobile, Alabama. The problem was that it normally took several weeks to get a work visa, and she only had a few days. Fortunately, her sponsors greased the wheels, and with a little more help from the Korean embassy, the red tape was cut and she was able to play. She didn't do all that well, but it was exciting just the same.

Shi Hyun worked hard during the off season

Shi Hyun did not just rest on her laurels. She was determined to prove that she was not a fluke winner, and worked extremely hard over the winter. She traveled to Thailand and participated in day long training sessions for months at a time. She returned briefly to Korea, and posed for some photos, before flying to America to continue her training. The Korean newspapers were infatuated with the story of the 'Cinderella' who became a star overnight, and followed her almost more closely than they did established stars like Se Ri Pak and Grace Park.

Shi Hyun proved that her work did not go to waste. In the very first LPGA event of 2004, she managed a fifth place finish, beating multiple winners Hee-Won Han, Se Ri Pak and Mi Hyun Kim in the process. If this is any indication, she may indeed contend for Rookie of the Year, as is her stated goal.

Best of luck to Shi Hyun Ahn in 2004!