Drive to succeed

Making millionaires

South Korea ranks eighth globally for number of courses, according to the Royal& Ancient's 2019 "Golf in the World" report, with 798 spread across 440 facilities.

But while driving ranges and screen golf are cheap and popular, green fees often cost hundreds of dollars and clubs are seen as elitist and expensive.

"In the US, golf is a popular sport and people can access courses easily but here accessing one is laden with difficulty," said Kim.

The potential returns on a golfing investment are huge: Kim has won a total of $8.8 million in prize money in the five years since her debut on the US-based LPGA Tour, where she holds the 72-hole scoring record at 31-under.

Even lower down the ladder, there are rewards on offer.

Unusually, the South Korean women's tour is a bigger spectator sport in the country than the men's equivalent, reflecting their contrasting fortunes.

South Korea has produced a handful of world-class men－including Y.E. Yang, Asia's only men's major winner after he held off Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship－but nothing like the production line of top women.

One theory for the contrast is that Asian men on average don't drive the ball as far their Western counterparts, but Asian women are more on a par with their rivals in that regard. Another theory is that South Korean players' development is interrupted by compulsory national service.

Last year's KLPGA tour offered nearly 30 billion won ($24 million) in prize money across 30 tournaments, more than twice the 14.6 billion available on the 17-event men's tour.

And several South Korean firms, often in the finance or construction sectors, sponsor golfers on the domestic tour, with the company logos accompanying each player's name on KLPGA scorecards.

The funding means that players can concentrate on training, said Chosun Ilbo golf journalist Min Hak-soo, while "sponsors invest hoping that their players will raise national pride just like Pak".