Park Hyun-kyung "3-Under Par Start"..."Early Surge Like Last Year Again~"

KLPGA Tour 2021 Season Opening Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open Day 1 Tied 2nd, Jang Hana 1 Stroke Lead, Choi Hye-jin Tied 5th

Park Hyun-kyung is watching the ball immediately after the tee shot on the 12th hole on the first day of the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land Trust) made an early surge.

On the 8th, at Lotte Skyhill Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,301 yards), the first day of the 2021 KLPGA Tour season opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open (total prize money 600 million KRW), she posted 3 under par to tie for 2nd place. Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) took the lead by one stroke (4 under par 68), and Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal) joined in a tie for 2nd. Last year's Player of the Year Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) remained tied for 5th place (1 under par 71).

Park Hyun-kyung is the player who won the KLPGA Championship last May, instantly rising to the ranks of a major champion. This victory carried special significance as the first win on a professional golf tour worldwide after COVID-19. In July, at the IS Dongseo Busan Open, she reached her second win after an extended playoff with Lim Hee-jung (20), drawing even more spotlight. However, in the second half of the year, her short game faltered, leading to a downhill trend including only two top-10 finishes.

On this day, Park recorded four birdies and one bogey. She started well with a birdie on the first hole, the 10th hole (par 4), and added birdies on the 13th, 17th, and the 4th hole of the back nine (par 5), creating momentum. The bogey on the final 9th hole (par 5) was a blemish. Her third shot fell short of the green. Despite strong winds limiting her greens in regulation to only 44%, it is interesting that she maintained her score. She relied on 23 'stingy putts' as her driving force. In fact, only six players recorded under par that day.

Jang Ha-na's momentum is formidable. She holds various remarkable records, including the most wins among active KLPGA Tour players and the all-time leading money winner (4.75391 billion KRW), making her a true 'box office card.' Last year, she confidently ranked 3rd in the money rankings with a win at the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic in November. After an aggressive performance with six birdies (two bogeys), she expressed her determination, saying, "This year, I want to secure my first win of the season in the first half."

Choi Hye-jin lacked finishing strength. She made four birdies in the first nine holes but only one birdie and two bogeys in the back nine. On the 13th hole (par 3), her tee shot landed in the water, resulting in a double bogey, continuing a 'rollercoaster performance.' She is three strokes behind the leader, still in a good position to contend for the win. 2019 champion Jo Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction) finished tied for 18th (2 over par 74). 'Number 2' Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) is attempting a comeback from tied 60th place (5 over par 77).