‘Prize Queen Confirmed’ Park Minji "Marching to 7 Wins~"... What About ‘Autumn Queen’ Jang Hana?

SK Networks and Seoul Economic Ladies Classic Final Title Battle, Im Hee-jeong's Revenge Match, Choi Hye-jin and Kim Hyo-joo Join

'Blackhole' Park Min-ji challenges for her 7th win of the season at the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "The next target is to sweep all individual titles."

It is the '7-win march' of 'Blackhole' Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities). The SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic (total prize money 800 million won) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, held on the 28th at Pinx Golf Club (par 72, 6,686 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, is a fierce battleground. Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) is defending her title, and Lim Hee-jeong (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), who finished second at the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies on the 24th, is aiming for revenge.

Park Min-ji has already secured the prize money queen title (1,497,840,000 won). Second place Lim Hee-jeong (884,030,000 won) cannot surpass her even if she wins all three remaining tournaments this season. In September, during the KB Financial Star Championship, she also broke the single-season highest prize money record (1,333,000,000 won). Since her debut in 2017, her steady rise is remarkable: 13th in 2017, 10th in 2018, 8th in 2019, and 5th last year. This year, especially, she swept six wins in the first 11 events, earning her the nickname 'Blackhole.'

Not only does she lead in wins (6), but she also tops the points for the Player of the Year award (657 points). Currently, she ranks third in average score (70.17), and the final puzzle piece is needed. She needs consistency to surpass the two ahead of her, Jang Ha-na (69.62) and Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal, 69.96). It is interesting that Park Min-ji tied for second place last year. She declared, "Pinx is a course with good memories," and said, "I will prepare an effective strategy to adapt to the Jeju wind."

Jang Hana attempted to defend her title at the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic.

Jang Ha-na is a player to watch. Following her victory at the Lotte Open in June, she demonstrated exceptional power by winning the fourth major of the 2021 season, the KB Financial Star Championship, by 7 strokes in September. It is noteworthy that she is particularly strong in the fall. In fact, 8 of her 15 career wins have come between September and November. This time, her 'hunt for 3 wins' is directly linked to maintaining the top average score and competing for the Player of the Year award. She expressed her determination, saying, "I will enjoy the pressure of being the defending champion."

Lim Hee-jeong also remains in the title race, ranking second in average score and Player of the Year points (550 points). Her brilliant '72-hole no bogey play' over four days at the BMW Ladies ended in second place, and her 'direct ticket to the LPGA Tour' slipped away. She said, "Losing in a playoff was unavoidable," but showed confidence, adding, "My shot feel has been good recently." 2019 champion Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), LPGA Tour members Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte), Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), and Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) have joined the competition for the title.