2024-04-30 07:41:10
Park Min-ji (26, NH Investment & Securities) is challenging the record for the most prize money in the Korean Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, held by veteran Jang Ha-na.
Park Min-ji will participate in the KLPGA Tour Kyochon 1991 Ladies Open (total prize money of 800 million won) held at Seonsan (par 72), Golf Zone County, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do for three days starting May 3.
In this competition, Park Min-ji had the opportunity to achieve a great record. Depending on the results, she could rise to first place in the KLPGA Tour’s career with the most prize money.
Park Min-ji, who has been active in the KLPGA regular tour since 2017, reigns as the best player in Korea. He posted a total of 18 wins, including six wins each for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
Accordingly, prize money accumulated quickly. In 2021, Park Min-ji, who achieved the milestone of exceeding 1.5 billion won in single season prize money, is currently recording 5.74062 billion won in prize money.
This ranks second overall on the KLPGA Tour. First place is Jang Ha-na (32, 3H), a veteran with 15 wins on the KLPGA Tour. Jang Ha-na’s total prize money is 5.77049 billion won, and the gap with Park Min-ji is less than 30 million won.
Jang Hana is still playing on the regular tour, but will not compete in this tournament.
If Park Min-ji ranks 5th or higher in this competition, she can surpass Jang Ha-na and rise to first place overall. If there is a tie for 5th place and there are two people including Park Min-ji in the same ranking, they will also be ranked first in total prize money.
Park Min-ji ranks third in total wins, following Koo Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae (20 wins). If they add 2 wins this season, they will be tied, and if they record 3 wins, they will be in first place alone.
Park Min-ji, who has competed in three competitions this season and has yet to win a trophy, is aiming to achieve a record and her first win of the season. I also have good memories at the Kyochon Ladies Open, such as tying for second place in 2019.
Lee Jeong-min (32, Hanwha Q CELLS), who won the KLPGA Championship, the first major tournament of the season last week, is aiming to win for the second week in a row.
At the KLPGA Championship, Lee Jeong-min tied the record for the fewest strokes in 72 holes (23 under par, 265 strokes) and enjoyed the joy of winning his first major tournament along with his 11th personal victory.
She also remembers being the first Kyochon Ladies champion in 2014, so she is considered a strong candidate for the championship.
Lee Jeong-min said, “I gave all my strength in the last game, so recovering my stamina is the most important thing. I became the first champion of this tournament 10 years ago after overtime, so I feel good every time I play. If I just focus on my play, I will be able to win.” “I think the grades will follow,” he said.
Park Bo-gyeom (26, Angang Construction), who recorded his first win in this competition last year, will attempt to defend his title.
Park Bo-gyeom said, “It is meaningful because I am participating in the competition as the defending champion, but I will not feel pressure and focus on my play. As this is my first time experiencing the changed course, I will concentrate as much as possible on the practice round.”
Jeon Ye-seong (23, Angang Construction), who hit 12 under par in the final round of the KLPGA Championship last week, tied the record for the fewest strokes in 18 holes and the record for most birdies in 18 holes (12), is also attracting attention.
Jeon Ye-seong said, “I have recently increased my practice volume and am maintaining a good shot feel,” and added, “I will do my best to maintain last week’s shot feel and reduce the ups and downs of each round.”
In addition, Jiyoung Park (26, Korea Land Trust), Yumin Hwang (21, Lotte), Jaehee Kim (23, SK Telecom), Hyunkyung Park (24, Korea Land Trust), and Yunji Jeong (24, NH Investment & Securities) are also considered candidates for the championship.
Elementary school athlete Park Yu-bin (Yeongdeok Yaseong Elementary School) competes as an amateur athlete and experiences the professional stage with prominent seniors.
Meanwhile, in this tournament, there is a hole-in-one prize on the par 3 holes 8th, 13th, and 17th. In the 8th hole, there was a Ceragem massage medical device set, in the 13th hole, a Deuxiana luxury bed, and in the 17th hole, a Mercedes C300 car.
Reporter Kim Won-geun, photo provided by KLPGT
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2024-04-30 07:41:10