'LPGA Star Rookie' Choi Hye-jin Ranks 10th "Smooth Debut"... Park In-bi "Misses Cut After 1 Year 3 Months"

LPGA Tour 2022 Season Round 2 Gainbridge LPGA Day 2: Danielle Kang and Lydia Lead Battle, 'Number 1' Korda Tied 17th

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Choi Hye-jin (23, photo) continues her 'smooth debut'.

On the 29th (Korean time), at the Boca Rio Golf Club (par 72, 6,710 yards) in Boca Raton, Florida, USA, during the second day of the Gainbridge LPGA (total prize money $2 million), the second event of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, she faltered slightly with an even par but maintained a tie for 10th place (5-under 139). Danielle Kang (USA) and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) share the lead (11-under 133), while Yuka Saso (Japan) is in a four-stroke chase tied for third place (7-under 137).

Choi Hye-jin secured her LPGA Tour card by finishing tied for 8th in the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series last December. Her strong start with 5-under on the first day stood out, but on this day, her iron shots wavered, resulting in 2 birdies and 2 bogeys. She is six strokes behind the leader, so it is important to catch up as much as possible in the third round. Locally, the spotlight is on Danielle Kang, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament champion who recently won back-to-back titles as of the 24th.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) remained tied for 17th (4-under 140). Korea's Lee Jeong-eun6 (26, Daebang Construction) and Jeon In-ji (28, KB Financial Group) joined this group, while Ahn Ah-rin (26, Mediheal) and Kim A-rim (27) are tied for 26th (3-under 141), Yang Hee-young (33, Woori Financial Group) tied for 32nd (2-under 142), and Hong Ye-eun (20) tied for 38th (1-under 143). The 'Golf Queen' Park In-bi (34, KB Financial Group) missing the cut is a hot topic off the course. It is her first cut miss in 1 year and 3 months since the ShopRite Classic in October 2020.