Park Minji "5 Wins in 9 Tournaments Blackhole"... "One More Win in the First Half?"

Korean Women's Open Final Day 2-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory', Leading in Prize Money, Points, and Average Score, Park Hyunkyung 2nd

Park Minji is giving an exhilarating kiss to the trophy immediately after winning the Korean Women's Open. Photo by DB Group Korean Women's Open Organizing Committee

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "5 wins including 1 major in 9 tournaments."

The winning probability is an astonishing 55.56%, truly a ‘black hole.’ Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) added a 2-under-par on the final day of the DB Group Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW) held at Rainbow Hills Golf Club in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk (par 72, 6,763 yards) on the 20th, securing a 2-stroke victory (17-under-par 271). This marks her second consecutive win following the Celltrion Queens Masters on the 13th, her 9th career victory, and a winner’s prize of 300 million KRW.

Park Min-ji started with a 1-stroke lead and recorded 5 birdies and 3 bogeys. Although consecutive bogeys appeared on holes 3 and 4, she recovered with 3 consecutive birdies from holes 6 to 8. A birdie on the 15th hole (par 4) was followed by a bogey on the 16th hole (par 5), where she had a 1-stroke lead, which was somewhat regrettable. The highlight was the final 18th hole (par 4). Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) had her tee shot caught in the rough and chose to lay up; Park Min-ji’s second shot landed just 1 meter from the hole, sealing the victory.

Park Min-ji is a player who automatically joined the KLPGA Tour after winning the team event at the 2016 World Team Amateur Championship. She immediately showcased her exceptional power by winning her first title at the Samchully Together Open in April 2017, her second professional event. She also demonstrated consistency with back-to-back wins at the ADT Caps in November 2018 and the MBN Women’s Open in 2019 and 2020. This year, she has been sweeping up trophies every month, including the Nexen Saint Nine Masters in April, NH Investment & Securities Ladies, and Doosan Match Play in May.

This time, she added the title of major champion. Along with multiple wins, she is leading the prize money ranking (948.05 million KRW), the points for the Player of the Year (333 points), and the average score ranking (69.50 strokes), sweeping all individual titles. New goals have emerged to break Shin Ji-ae’s (33) record of most wins in 2007 (9 wins) and Park Sung-hyun’s (28) record for highest prize money in 2016 (1.333 billion KRW). Park Min-ji said, "My second shot on the 18th hole was actually a slight mishit," and added, "I will try to add one more win in the first half of the year," showing her fighting spirit.

Park Hyun-kyung settled for 2nd place (15-under-par 273) after a ‘3-on 2-putt’ bogey on the 18th hole. Although she successfully defended her title at the KLPGA Championship in May, the massive wall of Park Min-ji seems to have halted her momentum for two consecutive weeks. Lee Jung-min (29) finished 3rd (7-under-par 281), Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) tied for 4th (4-under-par 284), and Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) tied for 6th (2-under-par 286). Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) remained tied for 13th (2-over-par 290).

Park Hyung-kyung is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the final day of the Korean Women's Open. Photo by DB Group Korean Women's Open Organizing Committee