Park Minji "End of 11-Match Winning Streak"... Caught Off Guard by 'Dark Horse' Hong Jeongmin

Doosan Match Play Championship Round of 16 Extended Loss, 'Expectant Mom' Park Ju-young Defeated by Lim Hee-jung by 2 Holes

Park Min-ji is teeing off at the 6th hole during the round of 16 match at the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) failed to advance to the quarterfinals.

On the 21st, at the Radena Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (Par 72, 6,350 yards), during the round of 16 of the KLPGA Tour Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW), she was caught off guard by the dark horse Hong Jeong-min (20). Although she led by one hole over 17 holes, including sinking a remarkable 20-meter birdie putt on the 16th hole (Par 3), she fell short by "2%." Hong Jeong-min made a birdie on the final 18th hole (Par 5) and again sank a birdie during the resumed playoff on the 10th hole (Par 4).

It is interesting that Park Min-ji had an 11-match winning streak in match play, including the final group league match in 2019, a "seven consecutive wins" championship last year, and three group league wins this year. Moreover, she had just secured her second consecutive victory at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, which ended on the 15th, making her attempt at the first title defense in the history of this tournament and a "two-week consecutive win." Hong Jeong-min exclaimed, "The two birdies in the final holes were crucial," and added, "I will try to maintain this good momentum."

“Expectant mother” Park Joo-young (32, Dongbu Construction) also lost by two holes to Im Hee-jeong (22, Korea Land & Housing Trust). She will begin maternity leave after this tournament. Im Hee-jeong will face Sung Yoo-jin (22, Hanwha Q CELLS), who crushed Choi Ye-rim (23) by four holes in the quarterfinals. Ahn Song-yi (32, KB Financial Group) defeated Lim Jin-hee (24) by two holes and will compete against Kim Ji-soo (28, High1 Resort) in the quarterfinals. The current leader in the Rookie of the Year race, Lee Ye-won (19), will clash with Lee Chae-eun 2 (23, Angang Construction) in the quarterfinals.

'Expectant mom' Park Ju-young is examining the putting line on the 2nd hole during the round of 16 match at the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA