Ko Jin-young "Advances to 5th Place, 2 Shots Behind"... Lim Hee-jeong and An Na-rin Share Lead

BMW Ladies Championship Day 2: Jeon In-ji and Danielle Kang Tied 3rd, Kim Se-young and Kim Hyo-joo Tied 15th, Park Min-ji Tied 71st

Ko Jin-young is teeing off at the 1st hole on the second day of the BMW Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the leap of ‘Number 2’ Ko Jin-young (26).

On the 22nd, at the LPGA International Busan in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 72, 6,726 yards), the second day of the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship (total prize money $2 million), she surged with an 8-under par to rise to 5th place (9-under par 135 strokes). Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Trust) and An Na-rin (25, Moonyoung Group) are tied for first place (11-under par 133 strokes), while Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) and Danielle Kang (USA) are tied for 3rd place (10-under par 134 strokes), battling fiercely.

Ko Jin-young started from a tie for 42nd place, 7 strokes behind, and swept up 8 birdies without any bogeys. She reduced 4 strokes in the front nine with a birdie on the first hole, the 10th hole (par 4), and three consecutive birdies from the 13th to 15th holes. In the back nine, she created excitement with ‘two pairs of stepping-stone birdies’ on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th holes, and a birdie on the final 9th hole (par 5). She is 2 strokes behind the joint leaders, laying the foundation for her 4th win of the season and 11th career victory since winning the Cognizant Founders Cup on the 11th. If she wins, she will leap to ‘Number 1’.

Im Hee-jung is reading the putting line on the 2nd hole of the second day at the BMW Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

"From practice, I felt that my swing and putting were good, so I felt I could play well," said Ko Jin-young. "I improved my ranking by reducing many strokes, but it is important to play without greed," she added, pledging, "I will do my best for the remaining two days." Lim Hee-jung posted a 6-under par to dominate the top of the leaderboard. An Na-rin, who was the leader the previous day, added a 3-under par, joining this group. Both players are non-members of the LPGA Tour, and if they win, they will earn a ticket to enter the U.S.

‘Evian Champion’ Minjee Lee (Australia) and Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks) are tied for 6th place (8-under par 136 strokes). Kim Sei-young (28, Mediheal), Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte), and Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction) are tied for 15th place (5-under par 139 strokes), and Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) is tied for 36th place (3-under par 141 strokes). Defending champion Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) is tied for 52nd place (1-under par 143 strokes), and ‘Domestic Number 1’ Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) finished tied for 71st place (2-over par 146 strokes).