'Runner-up Specialist' Kim Ji-young 2: "A Definitive Redemption"... "Winning Eagle in Overtime"

BC CardㆍHankyung Ladies Cup Final Day: Park Minji Defeats Lee Somi on Second Extra Hole, Tied for 3rd Place

Kim Ji-young 2 is cheering after making an eagle on the second hole of the playoff on the final day of the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup to win. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Winning eagle in the playoff."

Kim Ji-young2 (24, SK Networks), known as the 'runner-up specialist,' finally broke through. On the 28th, at Pocheon Hills Golf Club in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (par 72, 6605 yards), during the final day of the KLPGA Tour BC Card-Hankyung Ladies Cup (total prize money 700 million KRW), she shot 5 under par to tie with Park Min-ji (22) at 18 under par 270. Then, on the second hole of the resumed playoff at the 18th hole (par 5), she sank a 6-meter eagle putt. This marked her second career win, her first since the NH Investment & Securities Ladies in May 2017, after 3 years and 1 month, with a winner's prize of 140 million KRW.

Starting from a tie for second place, 2 strokes behind, Kim Ji-young2 combined 6 birdies and 1 bogey. She opened the scoring early with 4 consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 5, and although she made her only bogey at the 12th hole (par 4) in the back nine, she recovered her score with consecutive birdies on holes 13 and 14. On the second playoff hole, she successfully reached the green in two shots. "I didn't expect it to take this long to get my second win," she said with a bright smile, adding, "My putting was good, including a 15-meter birdie putt on the 14th hole and a 7-meter par putt on the 17th hole."

Kim Ji-young2 is a player who has frustrated fans by finishing as runner-up nine times. Since joining the KLPGA Tour in 2016, she walked a thorny path, losing twice in playoffs at the Samchully Together Open in April and the KLPGA Championship in September. During the Samchully Together Open, she caused a 'concede mishap' by picking up Park Sung-hyun's (27) mark after missing a par putt, and at the KLPGA Championship, she missed a 1.2-meter winning birdie putt, losing the chance for a major title.

Fortunately, she secured her first win in 2017, but misfortune continued with four runner-up finishes in 2018, including this tournament in June, and four more last year. This explains why she ranked 9th in prize money last year (570 million KRW) without a win. Kim Ji-young2 also suffered disappointment when the final round of the S-OIL Championship, where she led by one stroke on the 14th, was canceled due to severe weather. She expressed her ambition, saying, "I will use this win as a turning point to challenge for 3 or 4 wins."

Lee So-mi (21) stopped her pursuit of a first win at a tie for third place (16 under par 272). She aimed for a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5) to join the playoff but instead made a bogey, leaving a bitter taste. Lee So-young (23, Lotte), winner of the E1 Charity Open, maintained her lead in the overall points ranking (191 points) by finishing 7th (14 under par 274), while defending champion Cho Jung-min (26) ended tied for 26th (7 under par 281). Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), the top money earner, withdrew due to neck pain after completing 9 holes.