E1 Charity Open Day 1: 2-Stroke Tie for 2nd, Im Heejeong 7th, Choi Hyejin 14th, Park Hyunkyung 125th
Lee Jeong-eun 6 is hitting an iron shot at the 10th hole on the first day of the E1 Charity Open. Photo by KLPGA
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "I wish every day were like today."
LPGA Rookie of the Year Lee Jeong-eun6 (24, Daebang Construction) is in high spirits on her birthday. On the 28th, at South Springs Golf Course in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,501 yards), she shot 5-under par on the first day of the KLPGA Tour E1 Charity Open (total prize money 800 million won) and tied for 2nd place. Ha Min-song (24, Lotte), Jang Eun-su (22, CJ O Shopping), Choi Min-kyung (27, Huons), and Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) joined this group. Lee So-young (23, Lotte) took the top spot on the leaderboard with a 7-under par.
Lee Jeong-eun6 started at the 10th hole (par 4) and recorded seven birdies and two bogeys. After a birdie on the 13th hole (par 4) was offset by a bogey on the 14th hole (par 3), she struggled to lower her score but successfully turned the momentum around with consecutive birdies on the 18th and 1st holes. She then made three consecutive birdies from the 4th to 6th holes and a birdie on the 8th hole (par 3), entering the battle for the lead. However, a three-putt bogey on the final 9th hole (par 4) was regrettable. She is two strokes behind the leader, well within striking distance for a comeback victory.
Lee Jeong-eun6 debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2016 and won the Rookie of the Year award. In 2017, she swept four wins and earned six titles in total, adding two more wins in 2018, accumulating six KLPGA Tour victories. In November 2018, she topped the LPGA Tour Qualifying School, and last year she won the U.S. Women's Open, earning Rookie of the Year honors. Due to the LPGA Tour's suspension amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she is currently competing on the domestic tour.
Lee So-young is hitting an iron shot on the 10th hole on the first day of the E1 Charity Open. Photo by KLPGA
Two weeks ago, she competed in the KLPGA Championship and finished 15th. She is scheduled to participate in the Lotte Cantata Women's Open, S-Oil Championship, and Korean Women's Open. Lee Jeong-eun6, who said, "Except for the bogey on the 9th hole, I am satisfied with my performance," added, "After fixing my swing path, I was able to achieve good results. If I can execute the swing I want, the results will naturally follow." Lee So-young secured an opportunity for her fifth career win with a flawless performance, making seven birdies.
"I gained momentum by making birdies on the first three holes," she explained. Im Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q Cells) and Jang Ha-na (28, BC Card) tied for 7th place at 4-under par, while Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) and Oh Ji-hyun (24, KB Financial Group) tied for 14th place at 3-under par. Jo Ah-yeon (20, Volvik) tied for 26th at 2-under par, and defending champion Lim Eun-bin (23, All For You) tied for 40th at 1-under par. On the other hand, KLPGA Championship champion Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Trust) struggled, finishing tied for 125th at 5-over par.
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