Jang Hana and Choi Min-kyung 'Co-Leaders'... Kim Hyo-joo 'Tied 5th, 3 Strokes Behind'

SK NetworksㆍSeoul Economic Ladies Classic Day 3: 2 Under Par, Heo Da-bin 3rd, Choi Hye-jin Tied 10th

Jang Hana is making an approach shot on the 10th hole on the third day of the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Jang Hana (28, BC Card) takes the lead.

On the 31st, at the Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,638 yards), during the third day of the KLPGA Tour SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic (total prize money 800 million won), she added 2 under par to dominate the top of the leaderboard (6 under par, 210 strokes). Choi Min-kyung (27, Huons) is in the same group. Heo Da-bin (22, Samil Pharmaceutical) is in 3rd place (5 under par, 211 strokes), and Kim Yu-bin (22, Hana Financial Group) is in 4th place (4 under par, 212 strokes), continuing the chase.

Jang Hana started from a tie for 3rd place, 3 strokes behind, and made 2 birdies without any bogeys. She reduced 1 stroke in the front nine with a birdie on the 3rd hole (par 4), and added another birdie on the 17th hole (par 3) in the back nine. Before this tournament, she had participated in 13 events and made the 'top 10' six times but had not yet won. Her best season result was runner-up at last month's Phantom Classic, and she ranks 13th in prize money (226.99 million won). By rising to a tie for the lead, she has a chance for her 13th career win, her first in a year since the BMW Ladies Championship last October.

Kim Yu-bin, who had been leading for two days, fell behind with a 3-over-par round. Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), who leads in prize money, shot 1 under par and is looking for an opportunity from a tie for 5th place (3 under par, 213 strokes), 3 strokes behind. Lee Ga-young (21, NH Investment & Securities), Kim Ji-hyun (29, Hanwha Q CELLS), and Jeon Woo-ri (23, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) joined this group. Defending champion Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) exchanged 2 birdies and 2 bogeys without reducing her score. She is tied for 10th place, 5 strokes behind (1 under par, 215 strokes).