'4-time Champion' Park Minji "This Time's Target is the National Title~"

Challenging 5 Wins at Korean Women's Open, Park Hyun-kyung Aims for 2 Consecutive Major Titles, Champions Including Jang Ha-na and Ji Han-sol Assemble

Park Min-ji aims to become the first 'Major Queen' at the 35th DB Group Korea Women's Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "This time, the target is the first major champ."

It is the declaration of ‘4-win champ’ Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities). The 35th Korea Women's Open, DB Group National Title, a Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour event with a total prize of 1.2 billion KRW, kicks off on the 17th at Rainbow Hills Golf Club (par 72, 6,763 yards) in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk. She is determined to firmly establish her position as the strongest by rising to the ‘Major Queen’. Park Min-ji debuted on the tour in 2017 and has won at least one tournament every year, including the Samchully Together Open during her rookie season.

This year, she has already secured ‘4 wins’ early on despite playing only 8 out of 9 tournaments, solidifying her solo lead. Last week, she showcased her peak form by shooting 5 under par on the final day of the Celltrion Queens Masters to claim her 8th career victory with a come-from-behind win. She ranks first domestically in wins, prize money (648.05 million KRW), and MVP points (263). Her average score is second (69.82) only to Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card, 69.55).

Her ‘three key stats’?fairway hit rate at 83.12% (10th), greens in regulation at 79.04% (1st), and average putts at 29.95 (22nd)?are all perfectly aligned. However, despite her 8 career wins, she has yet to claim a major championship trophy. Her best major finish was 2nd place at the 2019 KB Financial Star Championship. She has made the ‘top 10’ for four consecutive years at the Korea Women's Open since 2017. She modestly said, "I think I still lack the skill to win a major," and added, "I won’t be greedy."

Park Hyun-kyung challenges for her second consecutive major victory at the 35th DB Group Korea Women's Open.

Attention is also on ‘KLPGA champ’ Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Trust) aiming for her second consecutive major win. She is on an upswing after finishing runner-up at last week’s Celltrion Queens Masters. This year’s champion group includes Jang Ha-na, Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction), Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank), and Kwak Bo-mi (29, High1 Resort). Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) is making a comeback attempt for her first win of the season. Defending champion Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), who plays on the U.S. LPGA Tour, did not participate.

With DB Group as the new partner, this tournament increased its total prize money from 1 billion KRW to 1.2 billion KRW. The winner’s prize is also the highest on the KLPGA Tour at 300 million KRW. The battleground was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., a master of modern course design. It features bentgrass on the ‘tough course’. The fairway width ranges from 22 to 27 yards, and the rough length including around the greens is 30mm for A rough and 65mm for B rough. The green speed is prepared at 3.3 meters, awaiting the golfers.