Inbee Park "Tied 7th, 4 Shots Behind"... 'Number 1' Korda "Leaps to Lead"

2022 Season Opening Tournament of Champions Day 2: Daniel Kang and Lopez Tied for 2nd, Defending Champ Jessica in 4th

Park In-bee is teeing off at the 6th hole on the second day of the 2022 season opener Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando, USA = Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the strong performance of "Golf Empress" Park In-bi (34, KB Financial Group).

On the 22nd (Korean time), at the Lake Nona Golf Club (par 72, 6,617 yards) in Orlando, Florida, USA, the second day of the LPGA Tour 2022 season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (total prize money $1.5 million), Park shot 5 under par to rise to a tie for 7th place (6 under par 138). "Number 1" Nelly Korda leads (10 under par 134), with Danielle Kang (both USA) and Gaby Lopez (Mexico) tied for 2nd place, one stroke behind (9 under par 135).

Park In-bi started from a tie for 14th place, 4 strokes behind, and made 6 birdies (1 bogey). After a refreshing start with "stepping stone birdies" on holes 13 and 15, she drew a steep upward curve with consecutive birdies on holes 2 and 3. After a brief breather with a bogey on hole 5 (par 4), she secured the next round with "stepping stone birdies" on holes 7 to 9. She missed the fairway twice and the green three times. She had 28 putts. She is 4 strokes behind the leader, with a chance for her 22nd career win since the Kia Classic last March.

Korda swept up 7 birdies (1 bogey). Her long drives averaged 263 yards, with an outstanding green hit rate of 88.9% and 28 putts. Leading by one stroke, this is her first win of the season and her 8th career victory, two months after winning the Pelican Women's Championship last November. Lopez, who was the leader the previous day, fought hard by reducing 4 strokes but could not keep the top spot on the leaderboard. Defending champion Jessica Korda (USA) is aiming for back-to-back wins from 4th place, 2 strokes behind (8 under par 136).

Annika Sorenstam is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the second day of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Orlando, USA - Photo by Getty Images/MultiBits

Yuka Saso (Japan) is tied for 7th, and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) is tied for 9th (5 under par 139). Korea's Kim A-rim (27, SBI Savings Bank) is 20th (even par 144), Park Hee-young (35, Isu Group) is 28th (7 over par 151), and Lee Mi-rim (32, NH Investment & Securities) is last in 29th place (10 over par 154). "Former Golf Empress" Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) was pushed to joint 2nd place (68 points) in the celebrity category. Former Major League player Derek Law (USA) leads with 69 points.