Baeseonwoo Tied 3rd, 2 Strokes Behind "2 Consecutive Wins GO"... Shin Ji-ae Even Par Tied 22nd

Rico Cup Tour Championship Day 1 Starts at 3 Under Par, Hara Leads at 5 Under Par, Shibuno in 2nd at 4 Under Par

Baeseonwoo is smiling after making a birdie on the 4th hole on the first day of the Ricoh Cup Tour Championship. Miyazaki, Japan=Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Bae Seon-woo (26) is on her way to a second consecutive victory.

On the first day of the 2020 season finale of the Japan Ladies Professional Golf (JLPGA) Tour, the Ricoh Cup Tour Championship (total prize money 120 million yen) held at Miyazaki Golf Club in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan (par 72, 6,543 yards) on the 26th, she shot 3-under par and tied for 3rd place. Lee Ji-hee (41), Suzuki Ai, and Ueda Momoko (all from Japan) also joined this group. Hara Erika leads with 5-under par 67, and last year's British Women's Open champion Shibuno Hinako (both from Japan) is in 2nd place with 4-under par 68.

Bae Seon-woo recorded five birdies and two bogeys. After struggling with one birdie and two bogeys over 11 holes, she changed the momentum with three consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 14. She added another birdie on the 17th hole (par 4), joining the race for the championship. Although she missed the green seven times, her 26 putts during the round were outstanding. She is two strokes behind the leader, with a chance to defend her title and claim her third career win after one year. Yuka Saso (Philippines), ranked first in prize money, started comfortably tied for 10th place (2-under par 70).

Three-time champion Furue Ayaka (Japan) is tied for 15th place (1-under par 71) along with Jeon Mi-jeong (38). Two-time champion Shin Ji-ae (32) exchanged three birdies for three bogeys and failed to reduce her score, finishing tied for 22nd place (even par 72). Inari (32) finished the first round tied for 24th place (1-over par 73), and Lee Min-young (Hanwha Q CELLS) tied for 27th place (2-over par 74). Only 37 players participated in this tournament, and the winner's prize money is an impressive 30 million yen (320 million KRW).