Yoo Hae-ran "Leading Leap"... 'Lotte Rent-a-Car Champ' Jang Su-yeon Tied 3rd, 1 Stroke Behind

Nexen·Saintnine Masters Day 2: Jeon Hyomin Tied for Lead, Lee Somi and Lim Heejeong Tied for 6th, Park Jiyoung and Park Hyunkyung Tied for 9th

Yoo Hae-ran is putting on the 15th hole on the second day of the Nexen·Saintnine Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Yu Hae-ran (21, Daol Financial Group) takes the lead.

On the 22nd, at Gaya Golf Course in Gimhae, Gyeongnam (par 72, 6,813 yards), continuing the second day of the 3rd round of the 2022 KLPGA Tour Nexen·Saintnine Masters (total prize money 800 million KRW), she posted a 4-under-par to dominate the top of the leaderboard (9-under-par 135). Jeon Hyo-min (23, Dohwi Edge) is tied for first place, ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car Champ’ Jang Su-yeon (28, Dongbu Construction) and Kwon Seo-yeon (21, Woori Financial Group) are tied for 3rd place (8-under-par 136), and Sung Yoo-jin (22, Hanwha Q Cells) is in 5th place (7-under-par 137).

Yu Hae-ran started from a tie for 4th place, one stroke behind, and collected five birdies (one bogey). Starting at the 10th hole (par 5), after ‘stepping stone birdies’ at the 12th and 14th holes, she took a brief breather with a bogey at the 15th hole (par 4). In the back nine, she sparked excitement with a birdie at the 1st hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies at the 3rd and 4th holes. Rising to a tie for first place by one stroke, she seized the opportunity for her 5th career win, five months after winning the final SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship last November.

Yu Hae-ran is the player who made headlines by winning the regular tour Samdasoo Masters while playing on the 2019 Dream (2nd tier) Tour. She debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2020 and successfully defended her title at the Samdasoo Masters. Last year, she secured two wins, establishing herself as a new powerhouse. This year, she placed tied for 3rd at the Lotte Rent-a-Car Championship and 4th at last week’s Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship. She ranks 4th in prize money, 1st in points for the Player of the Year, and 3rd in average score.

Yu Hae-ran smiled, saying, "My results were usually not that good early in the season, but this year, I have been performing well since the opening tournament." She added, "I am seeing the effects of diligent winter training." Regarding this tournament, where she was cut last year, she said, "My scores in the first and second rounds this year are surprisingly good." She vowed, "For the remaining two days, I will have to play in the windy afternoons. I will make good use of the wind and leave uphill putts on the greens."

Jang Su-yeon is teeing off at the 15th hole on the second day of the Nexen Saintnine Masters. Photo by KLPGA

Jang Su-yeon fired a 6-under-par round, aiming for her second win of the season. Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank), who was tied for first the previous day, faltered with an even-par round and dropped to a tie for 6th place (6-under-par 138). Lim Hee-jung (22) is also tied for 6th, while ‘Mediheal Champ’ Park Ji-young (26) and Park Hyun-kyung (22, both Korea Land & Housing Corporation) are tied for 9th place (5-under-par 139). Defending champion Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) withdrew due to severe sore throat caused by aftereffects of COVID-19.