Shin Ji-yai, pictured here in a file photo, is struggling to find a new sponsor. The 20-year-old LPGA rookie had been supported by Hi-Mart for three years, but the contract was terminated last December. / Korea Times File |
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Korean LPGA golfer Shin Ji-yai is looking to secure a new sponsorship deal.
She had been supported by Hi-mart for three years until the contract was terminated last year after the Korean electronics company failed to meet the more than 1 billion won demands from her former agent Tee Golf Studio, according to a local media report.
Shin, 20, now has a new agent, Sema Sports Marketing, the same company that represents fellow LPGA player Pak Se-ri.
Given that no deal is yet in place, she looks likely to take part in the ANZ Ladies Masters wearing a sponsor-less cap. The tournament is to be held at the Royal Pines Gold Course on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Feb. 5.
The competition was started in 1990, and only one Korean golfer, Amy Yang, has won the title, the victory coming in 2006. It was sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and carries a prize of 600,000 Australian dollars (544 million won). The tournament will be her first contest of the year.
"A few companies are interested in Shin," Lee Sung-whan, president of Sema told The Korea Times. "But it may be hard to make a deal before the Australian game," he added. "We're doing our best to get sponsorship before the SBS Open."
The $1.2 million SBS LPGA tour event is at Oahu, Hawaii, from Feb. 12 to 14, and the 1.5- meter tall player will be competing with Michelle Wie for the best rookie title. The 19-year-old Korean-American joined the LPGA after passing through the qualifying school last year. This year is her first LPGA tour as a pro.
shosta@naver.com
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