'4-Win Champ' Park Minji Leads Again "I'm a Black Hole~"

DB Group Korea Women's Open Day 2: Park Hyunkyung Tied for Lead at 3 Under Par 'Marching Toward 5th Win', Choi Yerim 1 Stroke Behind in 3rd Place

Park Minji is preparing for her tee shot on the 11th hole on the second day of the Korea Women's Open. Photo by DB Group Korea Women's Open Organizing Committee

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] The '4-win champ' Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) has taken the lead once again.

This time, it's even more significant as it's a major. On the 18th, at the Rainbow Hills Golf Club in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk (par 72, 6,763 yards), during the second day of the KLPGA Tour DB Group Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), she added 3 under par to instantly take the top spot on the leaderboard with 7 under par 137 strokes. Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Trust) is tied for first, Choi Ye-rim (22, SK Networks) is in third place (6 under par 138 strokes), and national representative Hwang Yu-min (18, Sinseong High School 3rd year) is in fourth place (5 under par 139 strokes).

Park Min-ji has already swept 4 wins including the Nexen Saint Nine Masters in April, the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship and Doosan Match Play in May, and the Celltrion Queens Masters on the 13th. Having participated in 8 tournaments, her winning rate is an impressive 50%, and this time she has a great chance to conquer a major as well. Starting the day in third place, 2 strokes behind, she recorded 5 birdies and 2 bogeys. Her consistency in scoring 3 under par or better for two consecutive days on a difficult course stood out.

In fact, only 13 players scored 1 under par or better in the second round total. A 20-over par 92 was recorded, and 14 players withdrew en masse. Park Min-ji also analyzed, "Securing the fairway is important first. You need to send the tee shot well to create birdie opportunities." She added confidently, "I will focus on more aggressive play in rounds 3 and 4." Park Hyun-kyung made 5 birdies (1 bogey), and amateur Hwang Yu-min caused a stir with a daily best 5 under par.

On the other hand, Lee Ga-young (22, NH Investment & Securities), who led after the first round, fell to a tie for 5th place (4 under par 140 strokes) after a shaky 2-over par round. ‘Lotte Open champ’ Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) and Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Trust) joined this group. Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) is tied for 14th place (even par 144 strokes). Hong Ran (35) achieved a milestone by completing her 1,000th round on the KLPGA Tour, and 2016 winner Ahn Si-hyun (37) retired after the second round on this day.