Yoo Hyun-jui's Surge: "Lee So-mi and Lee Hyo-rin Tied for Lead"... Choi Hye-jin in 16th Place

Phantom Classic Day 1: 6-Under Par, Yu Hae-ran and Noh Seung-hee Tied 4th, Kim Hyo-joo Tied 60th, Park Hyun-kyung Tied 76th

Yoo Hyun-joo is teeing off at the 3rd hole on the first day of Phantom Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a surge by Yoo Hyun-joo (26, Golden Blue).

On the 25th, at the South Links Golf Course in Yeongam, Jeonnam (par 72, 6,454 yards), the first day of the KLPGA Tour Phantom Classic (total prize money 600 million won), she reduced 6 strokes and dominated the top of the leaderboard. Lee So-mi (21, SBI Savings Bank) and Lee Hyo-rin (23, Credit Union) joined the joint lead, while 'super rookie' Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) and Noh Seung-hee (19, Yojin Construction) tied for 4th place (5 under par 67), and Kim Ji-hyun (29, Hanwha Q CELLS) among five players tied for 6th place, 2 strokes behind (4 under par 68).

Yoo Hyun-joo swept up 8 birdies (2 bogeys). Her precise shots were remarkable, missing the green only twice. Although she enjoys popularity comparable to any player in terms of appearance, her performance had not stood out. This is the first time she has taken the lead in a KLPGA Tour event. Yoo said, "I got a birdie from the first hole and caught a good flow," adding, "My putting, which had been troublesome, went well today," and "I will focus on the remaining rounds without worrying about the ranking."

Lee So-mi boasted a perfect play with 6 birdies. Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) started comfortably, tied for 16th place, 4 strokes behind (2 under par 70). Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities), who is challenging for back-to-back wins in two tournaments, is also in this group. On the other hand, overseas-based Lee Jeong-eun6 (24, Daebang Construction) tied for 44th place (even par 72), Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte) tied for 60th place (1 over par 73), and 'prize money leader' Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Trust) finished tied for 76th place (2 over par 74).