Yoo Hae-ran Leads at 6 Under Par... Jang Ha-na at 1 Over Par, 43rd Place

Elcrew-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity Day 1: Kim Ji-hyun and Sung Yoo-jin Tie for 2nd, Ji Han-sol and Choi Hye-jin Tie for 5th

Yoo Hae-ran is hitting an iron shot on the first hole of the first day of Elcrew-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks) is advancing toward victory.

On the 24th, at the Island Golf Course in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,613 yards), Yoo surged with a 6-under-par on the first day of the KLPGA Tour Elkru-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity (total prize money 600 million KRW), taking the top spot on the leaderboard. After 108 players completed the first and second rounds, the final third round features a unique format where 60 players and 30 celebrities form '3-person teams.' The team victory is decided by the four-ball format (each player plays their own ball, and the best score is counted).

Yoo Hae-ran showcased perfect play with six birdies and no bogeys. She reduced three strokes in the front nine with a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes, and continued with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, finishing with a birdie on the 18th hole (par 5). Leading by two strokes, she is poised for her third career win, her first in 1 year and 2 months since winning the Jeju Samdasoo Masters last July. "There were more birdie chances than I expected," she said. "Tomorrow, I will calmly check the wind and play steadily."

Kim Ji-hyun (30) and Sung Yoo-jin (21, both from Hanwha Q CELLS), and Kim Ji-young 2 (25, SK Networks) are tied for 2nd place (4-under-par 68). Five players, including Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction) and Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), are tied for 5th place (3-under-par 69). Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Trust) is tied for 10th (2-under-par 70), and Cho Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction) is tied for 20th (1-under-par 71). Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card), ranked 2nd in prize money, is down at tied 43rd place (1-over-par 73).