Park Minji "Hunting for 7 Wins Again"... Yu Haeran 'Starting 3 Consecutive Defeats'

KLPGA Tour Second Half Opener Jeju Samdasoo Masters: Prize Money No.2 Park Hyun-kyung Faces Off, Choi Hye-jin Joins

Park Min-ji aims for her 7th win at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the 7-win challenge for the rising star Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities).

The Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 900 million KRW), the first KLPGA Tour event of the second half of the year, will be held on the 29th at Urideul Golf Course in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,506 yards). Starting in 2014, this is the 8th edition. Past champions include Yoon Chae-young (34), known as the "159 attempts, 160th success" player, Park Sung-hyun (28), Lee Jeong-eun 5 (33), Ko Jin-young (26), Oh Ji-hyun (25, KB Financial Group), and Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks).

Park Min-ji debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2017 and has accumulated a total of 10 wins. This year, she has participated in 12 tournaments and swept 6 wins, including one major. Her winning rate is an impressive 50%. She is currently leading in wins, prize money (1.13261 billion KRW), points for the Player of the Year (403 points), and average score (69.60 strokes). Park Min-ji is the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass 6 wins and 1 billion KRW in prize money by July.

Her driving distance averages 248 yards (ranked 24th), and her green in regulation rate is first (78.73%), powered by her "pinpoint iron shots." She ranks 12th in average putts (29.66) and 11th in fairway hit rate (80.18%). She has set new goals to break Shin Ji-ae's 2007 record of most wins (9 wins) and Park Sung-hyun's 2016 record for highest prize money (1.33309 billion KRW). Two weeks ago, she finished tied for 46th at the Ever Collagen Queens Crown, a somewhat disappointing result. She has prepared for this tournament with sufficient rest and training last week.

Yoo Hae-ran challenges a three-peat at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters.

"I practiced a lot and read some books during the week off," she said. "Since I am on an upward trend, I want to achieve good results." Yoo Hae-ran is a strong contender for the championship. She made headlines by winning as a recommended player in 2019 and showed her strength by successfully defending her title last year. Yoo Hae-ran, who said, "I am very much looking forward to this year as well," expressed her determination, saying, "It is an honor to participate as the defending champion for two consecutive years, and I will repay with great play."

Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), ranked second in prize money, is a dark horse. She achieved back-to-back wins for the first time in 39 years at the major KLPGA Championship in May. She is on an upward trend with three consecutive runner-up finishes last month. "I have participated in many junior tournaments in Jeju Island since I was young," she said, expressing confidence, "Jeju Island is also where I earned the nickname 'Ora Princess'." Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), Jo Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction), and Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) are all aiming for their first wins.