OK Savings Bank Park Seri Invitational Day 1: Lee Gayoung and Kim Jiyoung2 Tied 2nd at 6 Under Par, Kim Hyoju Tied 11th at 4 Under Par
Ye-won Lee (right) is celebrating with her caddy after making a birdie on the 17th hole on the first day of the OK Savings Bank Park Seri Invitational. Photo by KLPGA
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The sensation of the "recommended player" Lee Ye-won (18, KB Financial Group) is making waves.
On the first day of the KLPGA Tour OK Savings Bank Park Seri Invitational (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at Silk River Golf Course in Sejong City (par 72, 6,627 yards) on the 17th, she shot 8-under par to top the leaderboard. Lee Ga-young (22, NH Investment & Securities) and Kim Ji-young2 (25, SK Networks) are tied for 2nd place (6-under par 66), and as many as seven players including "2nd in prize money" Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) are tied for 4th place (5-under par 67).
Lee Ye-won boasted a perfect play with 8 birdies and no bogeys. She reduced her score by 6 strokes in the front nine with three consecutive birdies from holes 10 to 13, a birdie on hole 14 (par 4), and consecutive birdies on holes 17 and 18. In the back nine, she added two more birdies on holes 5 and the final 9th hole (both par 4). She was promoted to a full member after winning two consecutive tournaments on the KLPGA Jump (3rd tier) Tour this year, and won the first Dream Challenge of the Dream (2nd tier) Tour on the 1st of this month.
Jang Hana is hitting an iron shot at the 10th hole on the first day of the OK Savings Bank Park Seri Invitational. Photo by KLPGA
Last week, she also participated as a recommended player in the major KB Financial Star Championship, finishing tied for 14th after leading through the second round. She is in a great position for her first career win, leading by 2 strokes. Lee Ga-young also entered the competition for the win by making 6 birdies, and "2-win champion" Jang Ha-na made 6 birdies (1 bogey) to set the stage for back-to-back victories. Overseas player Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) started comfortably tied for 11th place (4-under par 68).
Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal) and Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) are tied for 17th place (3-under par 69), while "2-win champion" Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) and defending champion Cho Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction) are tied for 26th place (2-under par 70), eyeing a comeback. "3rd in prize money" Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) only managed tied 84th place (1-over par 73). "6-win champion" Park Min-ji (NH Investment & Securities) withdrew from the tournament due to back pain during the practice round the day before.
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