Oh Ji-hyun's 'Revival Shot' "1-Stroke Lead"... Park Min-ji and Choi Hye-jin Tied for 8th Place

Jeju Samdasoo Masters Day 1: 5 Under Par, Kim So-yi and Han Jin-seon Tied for 2nd, Defending Champ Yoo Hae-ran Tied for 73rd

Oh Ji-hyun is teeing off at the 11th hole on the first day of the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the ‘revival shot’ of Oh Ji-hyun (25·KB Financial Group).

On the 29th, at the first KLPGA Tour event of the second half of the year, the Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 900 million won) held at Urideul Golf Course in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,506 yards), she shot 5 under par on the first day to dominate the top of the leaderboard. Kim So-yi (27·Huons), Han Jin-seon (24·Kakao VX), and Kim Na-yoon (26) are tied for 2nd place (4 under par 68), while ‘Ever Collagen Champ’ Jeon Ye-seong (20), Kim Soo-yeon (27), and Kim Ri-an (22) are chasing in a tie for 5th place (3 under par 69).

Oh Ji-hyun collected six birdies (one bogey). After a pleasant start with birdies on the 10th and 13th holes, she showed resilience by immediately recovering from a bogey on the 16th hole (par 4) with a birdie on the 17th hole (par 5). In the back nine, she boasted strong finishing power with birdies on the 1st and 5th holes and reduced one more stroke on the final 9th hole (par 4). Leading by one stroke, she laid the groundwork to return to the top for the first time in three years since winning her sixth KLPGA Tour title at this tournament in August 2018.

Oh Ji-hyun, who said “everything from tee shots to irons and putting was good,” added, “This is always a tournament I come to with a happy heart. I want to finish the remaining rounds well and go home happily.” Six-time champion Park Min-ji (23·NH Investment & Securities) started comfortably in a tie for 8th place (2 under par 70). Choi Hye-jin (22·Lotte) is also in this group. Yu Hae-ran (20·SK Networks), who is aiming for a third consecutive win, and prize money second-place Park Hyun-kyung (21·Korea Land & Housing Corporation) struggled, tied for 73rd place (3 over par 75).