Inbee Park and Henderson Share Lead... Se-young Kim Tied for 4th, 2 Strokes Behind

Diamond Resort Day 2: Strong 3-Under Par Performance, Lopez 3rd, Yang Hee-young Tied 8th 'Positioned'

Park In-bee is discussing hole strategy with her caddie at the 17th hole on the second day of the Diamond Resort Tournament. Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Golf Queen' Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) is off to a smooth start in the new year.

On the 18th (Korean time), at the Four Seasons Golf & Sports Club in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA (par 71, 6,645 yards), the second day of the 2020 LPGA Tour season opener, the Diamond Resort Tournament (total prize money $1.2 million), Park added 3 under par to take the top spot on the leaderboard (9 under par 133). Brooke Henderson (Canada) joined this group, and Gaby Lopez (Mexico) stood in third place, one stroke behind at 8 under par 134.

The event is held in a 'pro-am' format where players with wins in the past two years and celebrities compete. It is a 'champion of champions' tournament with 26 participants. Park In-bee started tied for second place, two strokes behind, and showed clean play with three birdies. After a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4), she maintained par for 11 holes, then added valuable birdies on the 14th hole (par 3) and 17th hole (par 5). She missed the fairway only once but had a green hit rate of just 67%.

Park In-bee rose to a tie for first place with a '36-hole bogey-free' performance, seizing the chance for her 20th career win, her first in 1 year and 10 months since the Founders Cup in March 2018. She said, "It was a tough round with a bit of wind," but added, "I'm satisfied with having no bogeys over two days." Henderson joined the title race with one eagle and four birdies (one bogey). Nasa Hataoka (Japan) and C?line Boutier (France) are watching for opportunities tied for fourth place (7 under par 135).

From Korea, Kim Sei-young (27, Mirae Asset) lowered her score by two strokes to tie for fourth place. Although she made six birdies, four bogeys were a disappointment. Yang Hee-young (31, Woori Financial Group) is tied for eighth place (5 under par 137), and Hur Mi-jung (31, Daebang Construction) is tied for 14th place (3 under par 139). Defending champion Ji Eun-hee (34, Hanwha Q CELLS) surged with 4 under par to climb to tied 17th place (1 under par 141). Jeon In-ji (26, KB Financial Group) is tied for 21st place (even par 142).