LPGA Tour Media Day: A Conversation with Jenny Shin

The Match Play is almost around the corner and Diamonds Mirror caught up with Golf Champion and Las Vegas resident Jenny Shin

Jenny Shin interviews on the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas during the LPGA Tour Media Day. Photography by Diamonds Mirror.

March 27, 2025 —North Las Vegas — LPGA Tour member Jenny Shin upon arrival waits poised as the press gathers around her during Media Day on the Shadow Creek Golf Course in North Las Vegas. The course will host the 3rd Annual T-Mobile Match Play starting on April 2nd and although Shin represents her Korean native country, being a resident of a major Las Vegas entertainment capital, surrounded by world-class golf courses, is truly invaluable— entering the course feels like an oasis or an endless botanical garden. It's also great for Shin, to be on the same time zone and a drive away rather than a flight away from next week's battleground.

"I'm very happy that the next six weeks are going to be on the west coast," said Shin, who is now participating not very far away in the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona.

As she takes questions from the local television stations, two things become evident: the class and culture which Shin brings to the tour, gracefully and ever so calmly upholding the same platform on which the sport was built. When a television reporter asks about the role of money in golf and the significance of extra incentives and purses, Shin eagerly replies, "Extra incentive to play? For sure!" Then, in a more serious tone, she adds, "You don't chase money... Big purses are pretty great, but at the same time, it doesn't motivate a lot of the players. We're competitive and set on winning. Money is great, but it's not the sole drive."

Shin is respected as a child athlete prodigy in golf worldwide, having won her first major U.S. Girls' Junior Championship in 2006 at the age of 13, her skill and age also being among the first in history for the national championship. On that note, when asked by Diamonds Mirror, she gladly shared some thoughtful perspectives on the current state of golf and its development in Las Vegas, particularly in relation to its impact on a new generation.

"In order to be able to grow the game, we need to make it more accessible and affordable for all the families regardless of their class," said Shin.

 Furthermore, we asked, what would be the first step to inspire young generations to play golf in Las Vegas? To begin with, Shin reminded us of how courses struggle or even close, especially as Nevada is known by its strict water rules.

"The golf course that I belong at in Southern Highlands, we've made all the rough storming, because we can't afford to water the grass anymore. Even a very prestigious country club like that is saving money to make some parts of the golf course nice. I can't imagine a municipal golf course, recreational golf course having the money and resources to be able to host high school or college golfers to come out and play for free, when there is no golf course," said Shin.

In the meantime, Shin is ready to play her best. Even more, she appreciates a smart golf course like Shadow Creek, as well as taking on tough opponents. "There's also that mental warfare that people don't see on tv. It’s happening between the looks that we give each other, and the puts that we give each other," said Shin.