Jang Hana Advances to Win at Jeonhunji Course "Leading at 6 Under Par"... Rookie Jeong Sebin Tied for 2nd, 1 Stroke Behind

Nexen·Saintnine Masters Day 1: Park Minji and Kim Jiyoung2 Tied 2nd, Lee Somi Tied 16th, Choi Hyejin Tied 27th

Jang Hana is celebrating after making a birdie on the 2nd hole on the first day of the Nexen Saintnine Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Jang Hana (29, BC Card) is on a winning streak.

On the first day of the 2021 KLPGA Tour 2nd event, Nexen Saintnine Masters (total prize money 800 million KRW) held on the 22nd at Gaya Golf Club in Gimhae, Gyeongnam (par 72, 6813 yards), she shot 6 under par to dominate the top of the leaderboard. Rookie Jung Se-bin (20, Samchully), Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities), and Kim Ji-young 2 (25, SK Networks) are tied for 2nd place (5 under par 67), while Cho Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction) and Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal) are tied for 5th place (4 under par 68) along with two others.

Jang Hana recorded 8 birdies and 2 bogeys. Although she lost ground with bogeys on holes 5 and 6 after birdies on holes 2 and 4, she showed a steep upward curve with a birdie on hole 7 (par 4) followed by three consecutive birdies from holes 9 to 11. She then demonstrated strong finishing power by adding consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15. Her putting was outstanding. Leading by one stroke, she seized the opportunity for her 14th career win, her first in five months since the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic in November last year.

Jang Hana debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2011 and has accumulated 13 wins. From 2015 to 2017, she won 5 times on the LPGA Tour in the United States. Since returning to Korea in 2017, she has maintained steady performance. Above all, this is a chance to wipe away the disappointment of finishing runner-up at last week's season opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open. "I did my training camp here," said Jang Hana, adding, "My putting was good," and "My goal is consistent play every week."

Park Min-ji showed flawless play with 5 birdies and no bogeys. Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) is tied for 9th place (3 under par 69), ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car champion’ Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) is tied for 16th place (2 under par 70), ‘Number 1’ Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) is tied for 27th place (1 under par 71), and 2019 winner Lee Seung-yeon (23, SK Networks) is tied for 47th place (even par 72). Yu Hyun-joo (27, Golden Blue), who entered via sponsor recommendation, withdrew due to neck stiffness symptoms.