'Kia Classic Champ' Park In-bee "Clash with Ko Jin-young on ANA Opening Day~"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A showdown between world rankings No. 1 and No. 2."

‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group, photo) will face off against the ‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (26) on the first day of the 2021 LPGA Tour's first major, the ANA Inspiration (total prize money $3.1 million). The match starts at 4:33 a.m. KST on the 2nd at the Mission Hills Golf Club (par 72, 6,763 yards) in Rancho Mirage, California, USA, beginning at the 1st hole (par 4). Having just won the Kia Classic on the 29th, she is aiming for her second consecutive victory and her eighth major title. Stacy Lewis (USA) has also joined the competition.

Moreover, Park In-bee was the champion in 2013. The ‘1 night 2 days playoff’ with Pernilla Lindberg (Sweden) in 2018 was fascinating. On the final day, Lindberg, Jennifer Song (USA), and Park shared the lead at 15-under-par 273, but the playoff was suspended due to sunset on the fourth extra hole. Jennifer Song was eliminated on the third hole, and Lindberg finished the marathon with a winning birdie on the eighth hole, resumed the next day at the 10th hole (par 4). Park is seeking revenge after three years.

Ko Jin-young also won in 2019. Defending champion Lee Mi-rim (30, NH Investment & Securities) begins her title defense alongside Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) and Austin Ernst (USA). Last year, especially due to the impact of COVID-19, she made headlines by sinking three chip shots during the final round held in September: chip-in birdies on the 6th and 16th holes (both par 4), and a chip-in eagle on the final 18th hole (par 5). She said, "It was truly thrilling," and vowed, "I will do my best again this time."