Oh Ji-hyun Leads by 2 Shots "I Like Jeju"... What About '6-Time Champ' Park Min-ji?

Jeju Samdasoo Masters Day 3: 4 Under Par in 14 Holes, Hanjin Seon 2nd, Ji Youngmin 3rd

Oh Ji-hyun is teeing off at the 1st hole on the third day of the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Oh Ji-hyun (25, KB Financial Group) has seized a chance to win for the first time in three years.

On the 31st, at Urideul Golf Club in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,506 yards), during the third day of the KLPGA Tour Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 900 million KRW), she posted 4-under-par over 14 holes to take a 2-stroke lead at 12-under-par. With some players’ matches postponed due to sunset, Han Jin-seon (24) is in second place at 10-under-par, and Ji Young-min (25) is in third at 9-under-par, both in pursuit. Six-time champion Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) faltered with an even-par round, remaining tied for fourth at 8-under-par.

Oh Ji-hyun recorded six birdies and two bogeys. The highlight was four consecutive birdies from holes 1 to 4. She made long putts of 8.1 yards on the 1st hole (par 5) and 4.7 yards on the 2nd hole (par 4) to build momentum, then her second shots on the 3rd and 4th holes landed just 1.6 yards from the hole. She bogeyed the 6th hole (par 5) but recovered with a birdie on the 9th hole (par 4), then a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4) was offset by a birdie on the 14th hole (par 4). It is interesting that she has not won since this tournament in 2018. This is a great opportunity to change the atmosphere on the ‘promised land.’

Han Jin-seon and Ji Young-min are dreaming of their first victories. Park Min-ji remains a player to watch. Starting tied for the lead, she made two birdies but suffered a critical double bogey on the 10th hole (par 3) after her tee shot went well beyond the green and was lost. After completing the remaining four holes on the 1st, the final fourth round will begin. Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Trust) finished her round at 6-under-par, tied for sixth place (6-under-par, 210 strokes), aiming for a late comeback.