Choi Hye-jin Tied for 2nd Place by One Stroke... Kwak Bo-mi Leading the Race

Kyochon Honey Ladies Open Day 2: Ji Hansol Ties for 2nd at 3 Under Par, Park Hyunkyung and Lee Somi Tied for 14th

Choi Hye-jin is making an iron shot on the 16th hole during the second day of the Kyochon Honey Ladies Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Number 1’ Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) has her first chance to win in the 2021 season.

On the 8th, at the West-South Course (par 72, 6,650 yards) of Daebu Island Golf Course in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, during the second day of the KLPGA Tour Kyochon Honey Ladies Open (total prize money 600 million won), she recorded 3 under par to rise to a tie for 2nd place (5 under par 139). Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction), who was the leader the previous day, lost one stroke and is in the same group. Kwak Bo-mi (29, High1 Resort) occupies the top of the leaderboard (6 under par 138).

Starting from a tie for 9th place, 4 strokes behind, Choi Hye-jin made 3 birdies. Beginning at the 10th hole, she reduced one stroke in the front nine with a birdie at the 14th hole (both par 4), and in the back nine, she made birdies at the 4th hole (par 5) and 7th hole (par 4). This year’s start has been somewhat sluggish. She was cut off at last week’s first major, the KLPGA Championship. She is just one stroke behind the leader, and this is a great opportunity for her 11th career win, including 2 wins as an amateur, since her victory at the SK Telecom·ADT Caps Championship in November last year.

"My recent shot feeling was not good, but I think I finished well by reducing strokes," she said. "Since strong winds are expected tomorrow as well, I will play safely while assessing the situation." Kwak Bo-mi added 2 under par and is eyeing her first career win. ‘KLPGA Championship champ’ Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) and ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car champ’ Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) are tied for 14th place (2 under par 142), and ‘three-time consecutive champion’ Kim Hae-rim (32, Samchully) is tied for 37th place (1 over par 145).