'Japanese Faction' Born in '88 Clash "Shin Ji-ae vs Lee Bo-mi vs Kim Ha-neul"... What About the Native Team?

MBN Women's Open 'Samchongsa' Pride Battle, Choi Hye-jin, Yoo Hae-ran, Park Hyun-kyung, Lee So-young Join, Park Min-ji Defends Title

The "Japan faction" of 1988-born peers Shin Ji-ae, Lee Bo-mi, and Kim Ha-neul (from left) will engage in a pride battle at the MBN Women's Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a clash of 'Japan-based' peers born in 1988.

Shin Ji-ae, Lee Bo-mi, and Kim Ha-neul (Hite Jinro) will participate in the Daeyu Winia MBN Women's Open (total prize money of 700 million KRW), held over three days from the 14th at the Daeyu Mongber Golf Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,525 yards). They are the 'trio' currently active on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. Shin Ji-ae has accumulated 66 wins worldwide, Lee Bo-mi has won 21 times in Japan alone, earning a permanent domestic tour card, and Kim Ha-neul has achieved 15 wins combined in Korea and Japan.

It has been a full nine years since the three players clashed domestically. After tuning their condition at last week's Orange Life Champions Trophy, a competition between the 'overseas players' alliance' and 'Team KLPGA' held in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Province, they are appearing in this tournament. "It has been a very long time since we played together on the KLPGA Tour," they said, pledging, "We will show a good performance." Shin Ji-ae is making her first domestic tournament appearance in two years since the 2018 Park Seri Invitational.

"It's half pressure, half excitement, but I have prepared hard for the season," said Shin Ji-ae, recalling, "I have been around Daeyu Mongber Golf Club once. The course felt like it naturally flows from the teeing area to the green." Lee Bo-mi, the 'new bride' who married last December, is enjoying playing on the domestic tour. Kim Ha-neul was the inaugural champion in 2013. In that tournament, played over four rounds, she recorded 23 under par 265 strokes, achieving the lowest 72-hole score victory in KLPGA Tour history.

Choi Hye-jin challenges for her first season victory at the MBN Women's Open.

The homegrown squad's favorite to win is the 2017 champion Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte). As an amateur, she secured her second professional tournament win of the season after 18 years. The 'super rookie' Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks), who achieved back-to-back wins two weeks ago at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters, is also strong. Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), who leads in wins and prize money, Lee So-young (23), who leads in points for the Player of the Year, and Kim Hyo-joo (25, all Lotte), who leads in average score, are also contenders. Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) is defending her title.