Se-young Kim "Going for 2 Consecutive Major Wins"... '3-Peat' Inbee Park "What About the 4th Victory?"

KPMG Women's PGA Championship 'Title Defense', World No.1 Ko Jin-young and Kim Hyo-joo Lead Full Korean Squad

Se-young Kim aims for her second consecutive win at the major KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the title defense match for ‘Number 4’ Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal).

On the night of the 24th (Korean time), the third major of the LPGA Tour season, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (total prize money $4.5 million), kicks off at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, USA (par 72, 6,831 yards). A total of 156 players will compete over four days in stroke play to determine the winner. Among the top 100 on the money list this year, 99 players are participating, and 39 out of the top 50 in the world rankings are also competing. The total prize money has been increased by $200,000, expanding the scale of the event.

Kim Se-young debuted on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2011, winning five times before moving to the U.S. stage in 2015. She is nicknamed the ‘Queen of Comebacks’ and the ‘Wizard of Red Pants.’ In her first year on the LPGA Tour, she won three times and earned the Rookie of the Year award. Her consistency is remarkable, winning at least one tournament every year. In 2019, she notably won the Tour Championship by one stroke, hitting the ‘$1.5 million (1.7 billion KRW) jackpot.’

Kim made history at this tournament last October. She shot 7-under par on the final day to secure a commanding 5-stroke victory (14-under par 266). She experienced the joy of succeeding on her 29th attempt in a major. At the time, she celebrated, saying, “I want to emphasize overcoming my limits with my first major win.” She then won the Pelican Women’s Championship in November, marking her 12th career victory. She received the Player of the Year award for the first time and finished second on the money list.

Kim Se-young is also cruising this year, the year of the Tokyo Olympics. Although she has yet to win, she has competed in 10 tournaments and finished in the top 7 three times. Her best result this season was a tie for second place at the Lotte Championship in April. However, she has not placed in the top 10 in her last three tournaments. She skipped last week’s Meijer Classic to recharge and prepare for a second consecutive win. She expressed her determination, saying, “This tournament holds good memories for me, and I will focus more on my play.”

Inbee Park is challenging for her 4th victory in 6 years at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bi (33, KB Financial Group) is a strong favorite to win. She secured her first victory of the season and her 21st career win at the Kia Classic in March. She ranks second in scoring average, sixth in earnings, and fourth in Player of the Year standings, showing impressive momentum. Most notably, among her seven major wins, she achieved a historic three-peat at this tournament from 2013 to 2015. She was also the runner-up last year. Korea’s lineup includes ‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (26), 2018 champion Park Sung-hyun (28), and ‘HSBC Champion’ Kim Hyo-joo (26), all making a full appearance.