1. Overview
Baek Kyu-jung (born 15 October 1995), also known as Q Baek, is a South Korean professional golfer. She quickly rose to prominence after turning professional in 2012, notably securing four victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA) during her rookie year in 2014. One of these significant wins, the LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship, was a co-sanctioned event with the LPGA Tour, which led her to accept membership on the LPGA Tour for the 2015 season.
2. Early Life and Education
2.1. Birth and Upbringing
Baek Kyu-jung was born on 15 October 1995, in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. She stands at 5.7 ft (1.75 m) tall.
2.2. Education
Baek Kyu-jung attended Go-a Elementary School (고아초등학교Korean) from 2002 to 2008. She then continued her middle school education at Yongun Middle School (용운중학교Korean) from 2008 to 2009, and later at Hyeonil Middle School (현일중학교Korean) from 2009 to 2011. For her high school years, she attended Hyeonil High School (현일고등학교Korean) from 2011 to 2014. Since 2014, she has been enrolled in the Physical Education Department at Yonsei University (연세대학교Korean).
3. Family
Baek Kyu-jung has a sibling who is also a professional athlete.
3.1. Siblings
Her younger brother, Baek Min-kyu (백민규Korean), is a professional baseball player. He plays for the Doosan Bears (두산 베어스Korean).
4. Amateur Career
During her amateur career, Baek Kyu-jung achieved significant success in both individual and team competitions, showcasing her potential before turning professional.
4.1. Major Amateur Achievements
In 2009, Baek Kyu-jung won the 12th Gyeongbuk Association President's Cup Student Golf Championship. She continued to achieve notable results in 2011, earning a silver medal in the women's general division of golf at the 92nd National Sports Festival (전국체육대회Korean). The same year, she secured a victory at the 35th Kang Min-gu Cup Korea Women's Amateur Championship. Also in June 2011, she placed third in the SBS Tour at the KLPGA Tour Lotte Cantata Women's Open, marking an early strong performance against professional competition.
4.2. Team Competitions
In 2012, Baek Kyu-jung represented South Korea in the Espirito Santo Trophy, also known as the World Amateur Golf Team Championship. Alongside teammates Kim Hyo-joo and Kim Min-sun, she contributed to South Korea's victory, securing the gold medal in the women's team event.
5. Professional Career
Baek Kyu-jung's professional career began in 2012, leading to rapid success on both the KLPGA Tour and, subsequently, the LPGA Tour.
5.1. Transition to Professional
Baek Kyu-jung officially turned professional on 16 October 2012, the day after her 17th birthday.
5.2. LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA) Activities
After turning professional, Baek Kyu-jung joined the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA). In 2013, she achieved two victories on the KLPGA Dream Tour: the KLPGA Gangsan 1879 Dream Tour 2nd Match on 8 May (at 17 years and 205 days old), and the KLPGA Muan CC Cup Dream Tour 13th Match on 8 October (at 17 years and 358 days old). She also placed third at the Kia Motors 27th Korea Women's Open on the KLPGA Tour on 23 June 2013. Her rookie year on the main KLPGA Tour in 2014 was exceptionally successful, as she won four events. These significant victories established her as a rising star in South Korean golf.
5.3. LPGA Tour Activities
Following her breakthrough year on the KLPGA Tour, particularly her win at the co-sanctioned LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship in October 2014, Baek Kyu-jung accepted membership on the LPGA Tour for the 2015 season. This allowed her to compete in international tournaments against a global field of top professional golfers.
6. Professional Wins
Baek Kyu-jung has accumulated a total of four professional wins, including four on the KLPGA Tour and one on the LPGA Tour, which was a co-sanctioned event.
6.1. KLPGA Tour Wins
Baek Kyu-jung achieved four victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour in 2014:
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 April 2014 | Nexen Saint Nine Masters | 67-71-69=207 | -9 | 2 strokes | Jang Ha-na |
| 2 | 8 June 2014 | Lotte Cantata Women's Open | 64-65-69=198 | -18 | 2 strokes | Jang Ha-na |
| 3 | 21 September 2014 | MefLife KLPGA Championship by Hankyung | 68-70-73-67=278 | -10 | Playoff | Hong Ran |
| 4 | 19 October 2014 | LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship | 74-69-68-67=278 | -10 | Playoff | Chun In-gee American Brittany Lincicome |
The MefLife KLPGA Championship by Hankyung is considered a KLPGA major.
6.2. LPGA Tour Wins
Baek Kyu-jung's sole LPGA Tour victory came at the co-sanctioned LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship in 2014. Her LPGA Tour playoff record stands at 1-0.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 October 2014 | LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship | 74-69-68-67=278 | -10 | Playoff | Chun In-gee American Brittany Lincicome |
LPGA Tour Playoff Record (1-0)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014 | LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship | Chun In-gee American Brittany Lincicome | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
7. LPGA Major Championship Results
Baek Kyu-jung participated in several major LPGA championships from 2015 onwards. Her results are as follows:
| Tournament | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | T35 | T50 | CUT |
| Women's PGA Championship | T32 | T43 | Did not play |
| U.S. Women's Open | T32 | T59 | Did not play |
| Women's British Open | T47 | CUT | Did not play |
| The Evian Championship | T59 | CUT | Did not play |
- CUT = missed the half-way cut
- T = tied
- Did not play = indicates the golfer did not participate in the tournament for that year.