Rising Star Seo Gyo-rim Takes Center Stage at Celltrion Queens Masters
The KLPGA Tour’s Celltrion Queens Masters delivered a masterclass in momentum during its second round on June 6, 2026. Held at the challenging Seongmunan Country Club in Wonju, Gangwon Province, the tournament saw a spectacular surge from 19-year-old Seo Gyo-rim, who vaulted up the leaderboard to secure a share of the lead.
A Flawless Performance
Seo Gyo-rim, representing the Samcheon-li team, turned heads with a “clean” scorecard. Playing in the morning wave under intense temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius, she recorded eight birdies without a single bogey. This impressive 8-under-par performance allowed her to climb 18 spots from her first-round position, finishing the day at 11-under-par 133 total.
Her technical statistics highlighted the power and precision that have become her hallmarks. With a recorded long drive of 290 yards and an average driving distance of 260.96 yards, Seo demonstrated why she is considered one of the tour’s premier long-hitters. Her performance was supported by strong course management, including an 85.71% fairway accuracy rate and a 72.22% green-in-regulation clip.
From Rookie to Contender
Since debuting on the professional circuit in 2024, Seo has steadily built a reputation as a formidable competitor. After earning her spot via the qualifying tour, she navigated a demanding 2025 season, making the cut in 21 of the 28 tournaments she entered. Her consistency was rewarded with a Rookie of the Year title, despite not recording a maiden victory during that campaign.
Currently balancing her professional career with her studies as a sophomore at the Korea National Sport University, Seo has shown flashes of brilliance, including runner-up finishes at the K-FOOD Nolboo-Hwami Masters and the S-OIL Championship. While her length off the tee is a significant advantage, she has openly identified her putting as an area for continued refinement—a challenge she clearly overcame during her dominant second-round display.
Key Takeaways from Round 2
- Leaderboard Shakeup: Seo Gyo-rim’s 8-under-par round propelled her into a tie for the lead, marking a significant milestone in her young career.
- Power Game: With a maximum drive of 290 yards, Seo continues to lead the field in raw power, a critical asset on the 6,615-yard Seongmunan layout.
- Tournament Stakes: The Celltrion Queens Masters features a total purse of 1.5 billion KRW, with the winner set to take home 270 million KRW.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament heads into its final stages, all eyes will be on whether the teenager can maintain her composure against a veteran-heavy field. Seo’s ability to pair her natural distance with the high-level short game she displayed on Friday will be the deciding factor in her quest for her first professional title. With the competition intensifying, the final rounds at Seongmunan Country Club promise to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 KLPGA season.
