Amateur Hwang Yumin and Defending Champion Park Minji "Tied for Lead by 1 Stroke"... Lee Somi and Jeon Yesung Tied for 3rd Place

NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship Day 2: Kang Ji-sun and Song Ga-eun Tied 5th, Yoo Hae-ran Tied 47th, Imi-rim 'Cut Off'

Amateur Hwang Yumin is teeing off at the 4th hole on the second day of the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Amateur Hwang Yu-min (19, Korea National Sport University) is making a splash.

On the 14th, at Suwon Golf Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,581 yards), during the second day of the KLPGA Tour NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW), she added 2 under par to take the top spot on the leaderboard (9 under par 135). Domestic No. 1 Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) joined the co-leader group, while Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank) and Jeon Ye-seong (21, Angang Construction) were tied for third place (8 under par 136).

Starting from a one-stroke behind tie for second, Hwang Yu-min recorded four birdies and two bogeys. She gained momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4 and another birdie on hole 7, but was checked by a bogey on hole 9 (both par 4s). In the back nine, she made a birdie on hole 13 (par 3) but lost it with a bogey on hole 17 (par 5). Leading by one stroke in a tie for first, she is aiming to become the first amateur champion in 4 years and 9 months since Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte) won the 2017 Bogner MBN Ladies Open.

Hwang Yu-min is the current No. 1 amateur in Asia and No. 4 in the world rankings. She made a name for herself by winning the 2020 MaeKyung Solar Cup and Gyeonggi-do Association President’s Cup. Last year, she showcased her ‘amateur power’ by finishing 4th in the ‘national title’ Korean Women’s Open and placed 7th in the OK Savings Bank Park Se-ri Invitational. Although she faced the misfortune of missing the final cut for the Asian Games national team this year, she dreams of joining the KLPGA Tour next year.

Hwang Yu-min exclaimed, “It was difficult because the wind was strong and my shots were shaky, but my caddie helped me stay calm.” She added, “My putting was good, so I was able to finish under par.” She continued, “Even if I play in the champion group tomorrow, I will play like I did today.” Confidently, Hwang said, “I believe I have a chance to win. Rather than playing conservatively, I will play boldly and aim for the championship.”

Defending champion Park Min-ji is putting on the 9th hole of the second day of the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship. Photo by KLPGA

Defending champion Park Min-ji overcame the setback of a triple bogey on the 4th hole (par 5) and swept up seven birdies, increasing her chances of back-to-back victories. Four players, including Kang Ji-sun (26, Norang Tongdak) and Song Ga-eun (22, MG Saemaeul Geumgo), are tied for 5th place, two strokes behind (7 under par 137). Prize money leader Yoo Hae-ran (21, Daol Financial Group) advanced to the final round tied for 47th place (1 under par 143). LPGA member Lee Mi-rim (32, NH Investment & Securities) missed the cut, tied for 115th place (7 over par 151).