'Phantom Classic Champ' An Song-i: "My Life Goal Is to Reach 10 Wins Before Retirement"

Choi Jong-il Wins by 1 Stroke with 3-Under Par, Secures 2nd Career Victory; Jang Hana, Jang Su-yeon Among Five Tied for 2nd Place

Ahn Song-yi (left) is being showered with flower petals immediately after winning the final day of the Phantom Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The first time is difficult, but the second time is easy.

This is the story of An Song-yi (30, KB Financial Group)'s victory. She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2010 and is a member of the 'K-10 Club,' given to players who have maintained their tour card for 10 consecutive years. Her diligent play was impressive, but she suffered from severe bad luck. Over 236 tournaments, she was runner-up three times and entered the 'Top 5' fifteen times, repeatedly falling short at the doorstep of victory. Last November, at the final event, the ADT Caps Championship, she succeeded on her 237th attempt in 236 tournaments and shed tears.

At that time, An Song-yi said, "It feels like a dream," adding, "Now I can rest with peace of mind," and predicted, "The next win will come even faster." Although it took a full 10 years for her first win, her second victory required only 10 months. On the 27th, at the KLPGA Tour Phantom Classic (total prize money 600 million won) held at South Links Golf Course Kyle Phillips Course (par 72, 6,454 yards) in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, she added 3 under par in the final third round to complete a one-stroke victory (10 under par 206). The winner's prize money was 120 million won.

Starting from a tie for third place, two strokes behind, she made four birdies (one bogey) to successfully overturn the leaderboard. She exclaimed, "I’m happy to have won my second title faster than expected after winning for the first time in 10 years last year," and said, "Not being too greedy was the key to victory." She had struggled before reaching the top. In 10 tournaments this year, she missed the cut three times and withdrew once. Her best result was a tie for 10th place at last month’s MBN Women’s Open. After her win last year, she had made swing adjustments, which caused problems.

“During the five weeks without tournaments, I visited my former coach and regained my previously shaky swing,” she explained. “My shot accuracy was high in this tournament.” She is now a veteran on the tour. “I’m 31 years old this year by our age, but I’m treated like an ‘old-timer,’” she said. “I believe my prime is just beginning, and I plan to achieve 10 more wins before retiring,” she expressed confidently. Jang Ha-na (28), Jang Soo-yeon, and Park Chae-yoon (both 26) are tied for second place with five others at 9 under par 207.