Yoo Hyun-joo "1 Over Par Setback"... Lee So-mi "Leading for Second Day"

Phantom Classic Day 2 Joint 9th, Rookie No Seunghee 2nd, Shin Jiwon Leads with Hole-in-One for '8-Under Par Course Record'

Yoo Hyun-joo is making an iron shot on the 12th hole on the second day of Phantom Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Yuhyunju (26)'s rising momentum was halted on the green.

On the 26th, at the Kyle Phillips Course (par 72, 6,454 yards) of South Links Golf Course in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, the second day of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Phantom Classic (total prize money 600 million won) ended with a 1-over-par, dropping her to a tie for 9th place (5-under-par 139 strokes). Lee Somi (21) added 3 under par to take the lead on the second day (9-under-par 135 strokes), rookie No Seung-hee (19) is in second place (8-under-par 136 strokes), and Jeju Samdasoo Masters champion Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) is in a tie for third place (7-under-par 137 strokes), chasing closely.

Yuhyunju has been explosively popular this season with her tall height of 172 cm and glamorous appearance. She has participated in seven tournaments, with her best result being a tie for 25th at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. She has been cut off five times, causing frustration. Interestingly, she surged to a tie for the lead on the first day of this tournament with 6 under par. However, on this day, she lost one stroke with two birdies and three bogeys. She expressed regret, saying, "My short game, including putting, was lacking."

Lee Somi made three birdies on holes 7, 9, and 15. She benefited greatly from new equipment, including a new driver and adjustments to the iron loft and lie angles. She said, "During the five-week break, I fitted my clubs and focused on practice," and added, "Tomorrow, I will focus on playing without bogeys," showing her fighting spirit. An Song-yi (30, KB Financial Group) is tied for third place. Four players, including Lim Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q CELLS), are tied for fifth place (6-under-par 138 strokes), looking for opportunities.

Shin Ji-won 2 (23) made news by setting a course record of 8 under par, highlighted by a hole-in-one on the 5th hole (par 3, 168 yards). She soared to a tie for 29th place (3-under-par 141 strokes) and won a luxury watch worth 30 million won. Kim Ji-young 2 (24, SK Networks) also made a hole-in-one on the 14th hole (par 3, 148 yards) but was cut off. She took consolation in a K9 sedan worth 50 million won. Lee Ji-hyun (22) also made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole (par 3, 159 yards) but failed to advance to the third round.