'72-Hole No Bogey' Im Heejeong "Runner-up Is Regrettable"... "LPGA Tour Direct Ticket Flew Away"

BMW Ladies Championship: 22 Birdies Swept Over Four Days, "Missing 2%"

Lim Hee-jung is teeing off at the 5th hole on the final day of the BMW Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "72 holes no bogey."

'Desert Fox' Lim Hee-jeong (21, Korea Land & Trust) delivered a flawless performance with not a single bogey throughout all four rounds at the BMW Ladies Championship (total prize money $2 million) held on the 24th at LPGA International Busan in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 72, 6,726 yards) on the LPGA Tour. She made 22 birdies. With a maximum drive of 257 yards, she missed the fairway only twice out of 56 tee shots, and combined that with an 84.72% greens in regulation rate and pinpoint iron shots.

Lim Hee-jeong is a next-generation prospect who immediately won three times in her debut year on the 2019 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. In August, she successfully defended her title at the High1 Resort Ladies Open, reaching a total of four career wins. In this tournament, she took the lead by 4 strokes on the third day with an 8-under-par "moving day spurt," securing a non-member victory and booking her "direct ticket to the LPGA Tour." She also performed well on the final day with a 4-under-par. The reason second place feels somewhat disappointing.

Ko Jin-young (26) surged with an 8-under-par to tie for the lead (22-under-par 266 strokes), then on the first hole of the playoff resumed at the 18th hole (par 4), hit a wood shot to within 1 meter of the hole and sank the winning birdie, which was rather surprising. Lim Hee-jeong said, "I really wanted to win," and added, "I think losing with a birdie in the playoff is something I can't help but accept." She expressed determination, saying, "For now, it's important to focus on the remaining tournaments this season," and "If the opportunity comes, I will challenge the LPGA Tour again."