'Native Power' Im Hee-jeong Leads "7-Under Par Moving Day Spurt"... Ko Jin-young in 2nd Place

LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship Day 3: Exciting 4-Stroke Lead, Anna Lin Tied for 2nd Place

Im Hee-jung is preparing for a tee shot at the 5th hole on the third day of the BMW Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "7-under par moving day spurt."

Im Hee-jeong (21, Korea Land & Trust) shows her ‘native power.’ On the 23rd, at the LPGA International Busan in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 72, 6,726 yards), the third day of the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship (total prize money $2 million) ended with her shooting 7-under par, taking a 4-stroke lead (18-under par 198 strokes). World No. 2 Ko Jin-young (26) and Ahn Ah-rin (25) are tied for second place (14-under par 202 strokes), and Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks) is tied for fourth place (13-under par 203 strokes).

Im Hee-jeong is an emerging powerhouse who won three times in her debut year on the Korean LPGA (KLPGA) Tour in 2019. In August, she successfully defended her title at the High1 Resort Ladies Open, reaching a total of four wins. It is interesting that she has had no bogeys throughout the three days, with 5-under par on the first day and 6-under par on the second day. On this day as well, she collected seven birdies. She made birdies on even-numbered holes such as the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th holes, and in the back nine, she had consecutive birdies on the 11th hole (par 5) and the 16th and 17th holes.

For Im Hee-jeong, the ‘direct ticket to the LPGA Tour’ is especially desirable. Since 2002, the LPGA Tour events held in Korea have seen five winners: Ahn Si-hyun (37) in 2003, Lee Ji-young (36, both at CJ Nine Bridges Classic) in 2005, Hong Jin-joo (38, Kolon Hana Bank Championship) in 2006, Baek Kyu-jung (26) in 2014, and Ko Jin-young (both at KEB Hana Bank Championship) in 2017. She expressed her determination, saying, "If the opportunity comes, I will challenge the LPGA Tour."

Ko Jin-young sees this tournament victory as a momentum to ascend to No. 1, taking advantage of Nelly Korda’s (USA) rest. She said, "There is a bit of a stroke difference, but the opportunity is sufficient," and added, "I know well what to focus on tomorrow," showing her fighting spirit. Danielle Kang (USA) joined the tie for fourth place. Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) and Minjee Lee (Australia), winner of the Amundi Evian Championship, remained tied for sixth place (12-under par 204 strokes).