"Cheolnyeo" Choi Woon-jung's Revival Shot: "This Time It's My Turn"

Drive On Championship Day 1: Tied 9th at 3 Under Par, Danielle Kang and Jennifer Song Share Lead at 7 Under Par

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Iron Lady'.

This is the nickname of Choi Woon-jung (30, Volvik, photo). She debuted on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 2009 and is known for her thorough self-management. Since 2014, she has participated in 62 out of 63 tournaments, ranking first in this category. From the Coates Golf Championship in January 2015 to the Swinging Skirts Classic in April 2016, she set a remarkable record of 41 consecutive tournament appearances. In July 2015, at the Marathon Classic, she lifted her first winner's trophy after 157 attempts.

In 2014, she became the first Korean to receive the 'Sportsmanship Award' selected by LPGA Tour players, gaining fame for both her skill and character. She has consistently placed in the 'Top 10' a total of 45 times. However, this year has been her worst. She has competed in six tournaments and suffered the humiliation of missing the cut twice, with her best season finish being a tie for 17th at last month's Cambia Portland Classic. Her prize money ranking has also dropped to 93rd ($60,476).

Her shot accuracy is outstanding, ranking 3rd in fairway hit rate (80.72%) and 6th in greens in regulation (74.38%), but her average driving distance at 136th (240.94 yards) and average putts at 132nd (31.11) have been holding her back. On the 23rd (Korean time), Choi Woon-jung fired a signal of revival at the Drive On Championship-Reynolds Lake Oconee held at Great Waters Golf Club in Greensboro, Georgia, USA (par 72, 6,852 yards), with a total prize of $1.3 million.

She made four birdies (one bogey) to finish tied for 9th place. After a fresh start with consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11, she added birdies on holes 14 and 2. However, a bogey on the 14th hole, the 5th hole (par 4), was a blemish. She missed the fairway only once and recorded 29 putts. She is four strokes behind the co-leaders, a position from which a comeback is definitely possible. Two-time champion Danielle Kang (USA) swept seven birdies to dominate the top of the leaderboard.

Jennifer Song (USA) is also in this group. Ally McDonald (USA) is in 3rd place at 6 under par, and Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) is tied for 4th at 5 under par. In Korea, with this year's champion group including Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group), Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), and Lee Mi-rim (30, NH Investment & Securities) all absent, Shin Ji-eun (28, Hanwha Q CELLS) and Kang Hye-ji (30) are tied for 26th at 1 under par. Ji Eun-hee (34, Hanwha Q CELLS) and Jeon Ji-won (23, KB Financial Group) are tied for 45th at even par.