Yoo Hae-ran Wins Consecutive Championship "I Like the Island"... Singer Lim Chang-jung's 'Team Victory'

Elcrew-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity Choi Jong-il 5 Under Par, Wins with Birdie on Second Playoff Hole, Choi Hye-jin 2nd Place

Yoo Hae-ran is cheering after securing the final day victory in the ELKRU-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "I love the island."

Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks) secured a consecutive victory. On the 25th, at the Island Golf Course in Daebu-do, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,613 yards), the final day of the KLPGA Tour Elkru-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity (total prize money 600 million KRW), she tied for the lead with Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) at 13-under 203 after shooting 5-under par, then clinched the ‘winning birdie’ on the second hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 5). This was her first win of the season and her third career victory, with a winner’s prize of 108 million KRW.

It is interesting that Yoo Hae-ran has won three times only on islands, including back-to-back wins at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters in 2019 and 2020. She explained, "I have a strong impact, so I seem to perform well on bentgrass courses." Starting from a tie for third place, she recorded seven birdies and two bogeys that day. Her green hit rate of 77.78%, ‘needle-like iron shots,’ and 27 ‘dry-putting’ strokes showed great power. She added her hunter instinct, saying, "I want to add more wins in major tournaments while I’m on a roll."

Kim Ji-young 2 (25) surged with a 6-under par to rise to third place (12-under 204), and Seong Yoo-jin (21), who led after the second round, remained even par and settled in fourth place (11-under 205). Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card)’s ‘march to three wins’ stopped at a tie for 16th place (5-under 211). Singer Lim Chang-jung (49) won the celebrity team division along with Yoo Hae-ran and Kim Ji-young. Using the best ball format (selecting the best score among three players, with amateurs receiving an 8-hole handicap), they scored 14-under par 58.

Singer Lim Chang-jung (left) is taking a selfie with Yoo Hae-ran and Kim Ji-young 2 right after the Elcrew-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity 'Team Victory' collaboration. Photo by KLPGA