Kim Minseon5 Takes Lead with "6-Under Par Surge"... Choi Hyejin 5th, 3 Strokes Behind

Mekkol and Yongpyong Resort Open Day 2: Yu Hae-ran and Lee Seul-gi 2 Tied 2nd by 1 Stroke, Hyun Se-rin 4th in 'Chase'

Kim Minseon5 is teeing off at the 10th hole on the second day of the Maccol Yongpyong Resort Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Kim Minseon5 (25, Korea Land Trust) takes the lead.

On the 4th, at Birch Hill Golf Club (Par 72, 6,434 yards) in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, during the second day of the KLPGA Tour McCol Yongpyong Resort Open (total prize money 600 million KRW), she surged with a 6-under par, topping the leaderboard at 10-under par 134 strokes. Rookie Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) and Lee Seul-gi2 (19, CJ O Shopping) are tied for 2nd place at 9-under par 135 strokes, while Hyun Se-rin (19, Daebang Construction) is in 4th place at 8-under par 136 strokes, looking to make a comeback.

Starting from a tie for 5th place, 2 strokes behind, Kim Minseon5 collected six birdies. She reduced 2 strokes in the front nine with birdies on holes 1 and 5, and added 4 more birdies on holes 11, 13, 14, and 16 in the back nine. She joined the KLPGA Tour in 2012, debuted on the regular tour in 2014, and has accumulated 4 career wins. In this tournament, she is leading by 1 stroke, seizing a chance to claim the top spot for the first time in 3 years and 3 months since winning the Nexen Saint Nine Masters in April 2017.

Yoo Hae-ran is teeing off at the 12th hole on the second day of the McCol and Yongpyong Resort Open. Photo by KLPGA

Yoo Hae-ran added 3-under par to continue the competition for the championship. She is a 'veteran rookie' who surprised everyone by winning the Jeju Samdasoo Masters last August as a recommended player. "My early shots and putts were shaky, but I think it's fortunate to have scored in the 60s," she said. "Tomorrow, I will play steadily and try to make many birdies." Rookie Hyun Se-rin showed perfect play with 7 birdies and no bogeys. She is 2 strokes behind the leader.

Defending champion Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) surged by 6 strokes to tie for 5th place (7-under par 137 strokes). Lee So-young (23, Lotte), the current points leader and 2016 champion, also joined this group. Last week's BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup winner Kim Ji-young2 (24, SK Networks) is tied for 12th place (6-under par 138 strokes). 'LPGA Rookie of the Year' Lee Jeong-eun6 (24, Daebang Construction) is tied for 26th place (3-under par 141 strokes), while 'Japan-based' Lee Bo-mi (32) and Yoon Chae-young (33) are tied for 33rd place (2-under par 142 strokes), advancing to the final 3rd round.