1. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jang Ha-na's journey into professional golf began in her early years in South Korea, leading to her debut on the KLPGA Tour.
1.1. Birth and Background
Jang Ha-na was born on May 2, 1992, in Seoul, South Korea. She stands at 65 in (165 cm). Her personal residence is in San Diego, California.
1.2. Professional Debut
Jang officially became a professional golfer in 2010. Following her professional debut, she joined the LPGA of Korea Tour, quickly making an impact and demonstrating her potential for a successful career in the sport.
2. LPGA Tour Career
Jang Ha-na's tenure on the LPGA Tour was marked by significant victories, unique achievements, and consistent performances in major championships, before her eventual return to the KLPGA.
2.1. LPGA Tour Debut and Major Wins
Jang Ha-na joined the LPGA Tour in 2015. She achieved her first LPGA Tour victory on February 6, 2016, at the Coates Golf Championship. This breakthrough win was followed by a series of other notable successes on the tour. She secured her second LPGA win on March 6, 2016, at the HSBC Women's Champions. Later that year, on October 9, 2016, she claimed her third title at the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship. Her fourth LPGA victory came on February 19, 2017, at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open. Her fifth LPGA win, the BMW Ladies Championship, on October 27, 2019, was notably co-sanctioned with the KLPGA Tour.
2.2. Notable Records and Achievements
Prior to her first LPGA Tour win, Jang Ha-na made headlines for a remarkable and unprecedented feat. On January 30, 2016, during the third round of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic at the Ocean Club, she became the first LPGA Tour golfer to hit a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. This historic "albatross" occurred on the 8th hole, showcasing her exceptional skill and flair for the dramatic.
2.3. Major Tournament Results
Jang Ha-na participated in various major championships throughout her LPGA Tour career, consistently making cuts and achieving respectable finishes. Her results in LPGA majors are summarized below.
| Tournament | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | T55 | T41 | T36 | T21 | T30 |
| U.S. Women's Open | CUT | CUT | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | T35 | T26 | T21 | Did Not Play | Did Not Play |
| Women's PGA Championship | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | T41 | T30 | Did Not Play | Did Not Play |
| Women's British Open | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | T31 | T5 | T49 | Did Not Play |
| The Evian Championship | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | Did Not Play | T3 | CUT | T17 | Did Not Play | Did Not Play |
- The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.
- CUT = missed the half-way cut
- "T" = tied for place
Summary of LPGA Major Championship Performance:
| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 15 |
- Most consecutive cuts made - 8 (2016 ANA - 2018 ANA, current)
- Longest streak of top-10s - 1 (twice)
2.4. Transition from LPGA Tour
In May 2017, Jang Ha-na made the decision to rescind her LPGA Tour membership and return to play full-time on the LPGA of Korea Tour. This transition marked a significant shift in her career, allowing her to focus on the domestic circuit in South Korea.
3. KLPGA Tour Career
Jang Ha-na's career on the KLPGA Tour has been consistently successful, marked by early dominance and continued excellence after her return from the LPGA Tour.
3.1. Early Success in KLPGA
Before joining the LPGA Tour, Jang Ha-na achieved significant success on the KLPGA Tour. In 2013, she notably led the LPGA of Korea Tour money list and secured three tournament victories, establishing herself as a formidable talent in Korean golf. Her early wins included the KB Financial STAR Championship, Doosan Match Play Championship, and Rush n Cash Classic, all in 2013. She further added to her tally with the Hite Jinro Championship in 2013 and the Hyundai China Ladies Open at the end of 2013.
3.2. Continued Performance After LPGA Return
Following her return from the LPGA Tour in May 2017, Jang Ha-na seamlessly continued her successful career on the KLPGA Tour. She added several more titles to her name, showcasing her enduring skill and competitive drive. Her wins after returning include the Korea Investment & Securities Championship and the CreaS F&C KLPGA Championship in 2018, followed by the Hana Financial Group Championship in 2019. She also won the SK Networks Seokyung Ladies Classic in 2020, the Lotte Open in 2021, and the KB Financial Star Championship in 2021, demonstrating her continued presence as a top player on the Korean circuit.
4. Professional Wins
Jang Ha-na has accumulated a total of 19 professional wins across her career.
4.1. LPGA Tour Wins
Jang Ha-na has won 5 tournaments on the LPGA Tour.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 Feb 2016 | Coates Golf Championship | 65-72-68-72=277 | -11 | 2 strokes | Brooke Henderson of Canada |
| 2 | 6 Mar 2016 | HSBC Women's Champions | 70-66-68-65=269 | -19 | 4 strokes | Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand |
| 3 | 9 Oct 2016 | Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship | 69-69-62-71=271 | -17 | 1 stroke | Shanshan Feng of China |
| 4 | 19 Feb 2017 | ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open | 70-73-70-69=282 | -10 | 3 strokes | Nanna Madsen of Denmark |
| 5 | 27 Oct 2019 | BMW Ladies Championship | 69-67-68-65=269 | -19 | Playoff | Danielle Kang of the United States |
The BMW Ladies Championship in 2019 was co-sanctioned with the KLPGA Tour.
4.1.1. LPGA Tour Playoff Record
Jang Ha-na's record in playoff situations on the LPGA Tour is 1 win and 1 loss.
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015 | Marathon Classic | Chella Choi of South Korea | Lost to par on first extra hole |
| 2 | 2019 | BMW Ladies Championship | Danielle Kang of the United States | Won with birdie on third extra hole |
4.2. LPGA of Korea Tour Wins
Jang Ha-na has recorded 15 wins on the LPGA of Korea Tour.
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Oct 2012 | KB Financial STAR Championship | 70-67-74=211 | -5 | 1 stroke | Kim Ha-neul, Kim Hyun-ji, Yang Je-yoon |
| 2 | 26 May 2013 | Doosan Match Play Championship | 2 up | Chun In-gee | ||
| 3 | 6 Oct 2013 | Rush n Cash Classic | 67-66-73=206 | -10 | 4 strokes | Chun In-gee |
| 4 | 13 Oct 2013 | Hite Jinro Championship | 69-71-67-65=272 | -16 | 6 strokes | Hee-kyung Seo |
| 5 | 15 Dec 2013 | Hyundai China Ladies Open | 69-71-73=213 | -3 | 1 stroke | Kim Ha-neul, Kim Hye-youn, Lee Jeong-eun |
| 6 | 31 Aug 2014 | Charity High1 Resort Open | 69-65-70=204 | -12 | 2 strokes | Chun In-gee |
| 7 | 28 Jun 2015 | BC Card-Hankyung Ladies Cup | 70-69-69-68=276 | -12 | 1 stroke | Ha Min-song, Jang Su-yeon, Jung Hee-won |
| 8 | 26 Sep 2015 | YTN-Volvik Women's Open | 65-65-70=200 | -16 | 4 strokes | Cho Jeong-min, Ha Min-song, Kim Min-sun |
| 9 | 11 Mar 2018 | Korea Investment & Securities Championship | 69-69-66=204 | -12 | Playoff | Ha Min-song |
| 10 | 29 Apr 2018 | CreaS F&C KLPGA Championship | 68-70-64-72=274 | -14 | 2 strokes | Choi Hye-jin, Kim Ji-yeong |
| 11 | 6 Oct 2019 | Hana Financial Group Championship | 69-65-72-70=276 | -12 | 1 stroke | Kim Ji-yeong, Lee Da-yeon |
| 12 | 27 Oct 2019 | BMW Ladies Championship | 69-67-68-65=269 | -19 | Playoff | Danielle Kang |
| 13 | 2 Nov 2020 | SK Networks Seokyung Ladies Classic | 72-68-70-71=281 | -7 | 2 strokes | Jun U-ree, Kim Hyo-joo, Kim Ji-hyun, Park Min-ji |
| 14 | 6 Jun 2021 | Lotte Open | 70-69-71-72=282 | -6 | Playoff | Ryu Hae-ran |
| 15 | 12 Sep 2021 | KB Financial Star Championship | 69-69-69-71=278 | -10 | 7 strokes | Park Hyun-kyung |
Tournaments in bold are LPGA of Korea Tour majors.
5. Awards and Honors
Jang Ha-na has received notable awards throughout her career, recognizing her achievements on the golf course. A significant honor was leading the LPGA of Korea Tour money list in 2013, a testament to her consistent high-level performance during that season.
6. Playing Style and Characteristics
Jang Ha-na is recognized for her aggressive and exciting playing style. Her historic par-4 hole-in-one on the LPGA Tour is a prime example of her willingness to take risks and her ability to execute extraordinary shots under pressure. This characteristic has often made her a captivating presence on the golf course.
7. Personal Life
Beyond her professional career, Jang Ha-na has maintained a relatively private personal life. She resides in San Diego, California. She holds endorsement deals with Evergreen Group Holdings, C Card, Honma Golf, Lee Dong Soo Sport, and Kumho Tires.
8. Legacy and Assessment
Jang Ha-na's career has left a notable mark on both the LPGA Tour and the KLPGA Tour, establishing her as one of South Korea's prominent golfers of her generation.
8.1. Impact on Golf
Jang Ha-na's achievements, particularly her unique records like the par-4 hole-in-one and her multiple victories across major tours, have contributed to the excitement and visibility of professional golf. Her performances have inspired aspiring golfers and showcased the depth of talent emerging from South Korea. Her consistent presence at the top of leaderboards on both the KLPGA and LPGA Tours highlights her enduring skill and competitive spirit, making her a respected figure in the sport.