Park Hyunkyung's Trip to Yeongam for '3 Wins GO'... Choi Hyejin "Retrying for First Win"

Phantom Classic Victory Appearance, Park Minji 'Competing for 2 Consecutive Wins', Kim Hyoju and Lee Soyoung Among All 'Top 10' Prize Winners Competing

Park Hyun-kyung challenges for her third season win at Phantom Classic.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land Trust) is making her 'third win attempt.'

On the 25th, at South Links Golf Course in Yeongam, Jeonnam (par 72, 6,454 yards), the KLPGA Tour Phantom Classic (total prize money 600 million KRW) will be held. This is the stage resuming after five weeks since the Daewoo Winia MBN Women's Open ended on the 16th of last month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many tournaments were canceled consecutively, resulting in an unexpected forced break. A total of 114 players will compete for the winner's prize of 120 million KRW.

South Links Golf Course is famous as a premium links course emphasizing the rough and natural beauty of Scotland. Although the course length is not long, the fairway and green undulations are severe. The wind is unpredictable, so adapting to the course and nature is key. In her second year, Park Hyun-kyung is a star dominating the tour this year. She recorded her first career win at the major KLPGA Championship in May and secured her second victory at the IS Dongseo Busan Open in July.

She boasts consistency, having missed the cut only once in 10 tournaments. She is the only multiple winner this year, ranking first in prize money (463.36 million KRW), seventh in the Player of the Year standings (161 points), 11th in top 10 finish rate (30%), and 12th in average score (70.33 strokes). During the break, she worked hard to develop a balanced swing. "With many tournaments canceled, I have a strong desire to perform better," she said. "I prepared diligently, so I hope the results will reflect that," she added with high expectations.

Choi Hye-jin aims for her first season win at Phantom Classic.

'Domestic No. 1' Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) is challenging for her first win of the season. She has entered the top 10 eight times in nine tournaments but has yet to win. In June, she led with an 8-under-par on the first day of the S-Oil Championship, but the event was canceled due to severe weather. She ranks second in the Player of the Year standings (257 points), fifth in average score (69.52 strokes), and ninth in prize money (201.23 million KRW). Another strong contender is 'overseas player' Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), who is on a roll with first in average score (68.46 strokes) and second in prize money (403.27 million KRW).

'MBN Women's Open champion' Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) is aiming for back-to-back wins in her second tournament. Other top contenders include Lee So-young (23, Lotte), who leads the Player of the Year standings, Lim Hee-jeong (20, Hanwha Q CELLS), rookie leader Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks), Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal), and Kim Ji-young 2 (24, SK Networks), all ranked within the top 10 in prize money. Additionally, lifetime exemption holder Lee Bo-mi (32, Nobuta Group) and fan-supported Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction) have joined the field.