Kim Hyo-joo "Taking Over the US This Time"... What About Ko Jin-young and Park In-bee?

2 Wins at ShopRite Classic, World No. 2 Ko Jin-young and No. 3 Park In-bee Join, Hataoka Aims for 2 Consecutive Wins

World No. 5 Kim Hyo-joo challenges for her second win of the season at the ShopRite Classic.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "This time, it's about conquering the American stage."

World No. 5 Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) is aiming for her second victory. The ShopRite Classic (total prize money $1.75 million) of the LPGA Tour will be held on the night of October 1st (Korean time) at the Bay Course (par 71, 6,190 yards) of the Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey, USA. The competition is fierce. It will be played over 54 holes of stroke play across three days. Mel Reid (England) is defending her title. She recalls the thrilling memory of her first win in four years since joining the LPGA Tour in 2017.

Kim Hyo-joo has been on a winning streak this year. She won the HSBC Women's World Championship held in Singapore last May. It was her fourth LPGA Tour win in total, ending a drought of 5 years and 3 months since her victory at the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic in February 2016. Building on this victory, she also competed at the Tokyo Olympics in early August. After resting in Korea, she also claimed the top spot at the KLPGA Tour OK Savings Bank Park Se-ri Invitational, which started on the 19th.

Her domestic win was her first in 11 months since the major KB Financial Star Championship in October last year, and her 13th career win including one as an amateur. Last week, she attracted attention by serving as caddie for her close friend Yoo Hyun-joo (27) at the El Cru-TV Chosun Pro Celebrity event. She returned to the U.S. immediately after the tournament. This is her first appearance at the ShopRite Classic in four years. "Since it's been a while since I last played in this tournament, I hope to show a better performance," she said. "I also want to win many more tournaments in the remaining season."

World No. 2 Ko Jin-young aims for her second win of the season at the ShopRite Classic.

World No. 2 Ko Jin-young (26) is a strong favorite to win. With a victory at the Portland Classic and a tie for 6th place at last week's Arkansas Championship, she has been on an upward trend with back-to-back top 6 finishes. It is a chance for revenge for Ji Eun-hee (35, Hanwha Q CELLS), the runner-up at the Arkansas Championship. Korea's lineup also includes 'Golf Queen' Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group), world No. 4 Kim Se-young (28), and Yoo So-yeon (31, both Mediheal). Hataoka Nasa (Japan), the Arkansas Championship champion, is aiming for her second consecutive win.