'Desert Fox' Lim Hee-jeong "Big 5-Hole Win in Quarterfinals"... Clashes with Hong Jeong-min in Semifinals

On the Fourth Day of the Doosan Match Play Championship, Park Jooyoung and Sung Yujin Consecutively Defeat Opponents, Ansongi and Lee Yewon Face Off in Another Semifinal Match

Lim Hee-jeong is smiling brightly after making a birdie on the 6th hole during the quarterfinal match of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Desert Fox’ Lim Hee-jeong (22, Korea Land & Trust) has advanced to the semifinals.

On the afternoon of the 21st, at Raden Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (Par 72, 6,350 yards), during the quarterfinals of the KLPGA Tour Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW) on the fourth day, she defeated Sung Yoo-jin (22) by 5 holes. She barely advanced to the round of 16 after a group league record of 2 wins and 1 loss, including a ‘three-person playoff,’ and earlier that morning, she had beaten ‘expectant mom’ Park Joo-young (32, Dongbu Construction) by 2 holes. Her opponent in the semifinals is Hong Jung-min (20).

Lim Hee-jeong is a leading star who has reached a total of 4 wins, including last August’s Hi-One Resort Ladies Open victory. In the 2021 season, she played 28 events with 1 win and an impressive 15 top-10 finishes, showing remarkable consistency. She actually lacks wins compared to others who have three second and third places each. This year, she is not yet in full form due to a traffic accident a month ago, having withdrawn once and missed the cut once in the last three events. However, in the quarterfinals, she showed great momentum by making 8 birdies over 14 holes.

Ahn Song-yi is hitting an iron shot on the 4th hole during the quarterfinal match of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

Hong Jung-min is no pushover. In the round of 16, she caused an upset by defeating defending champion Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) after an extended playoff, and in the quarterfinals, she narrowly beat Rookie of the Year Song Ga-eun (22, MG Saemaeul Geumgo) by 1 hole. An Song-yi (32) and Lee Ye-won (19, both KB Financial Group) will compete in the other semifinal match. An Song-yi aims to surpass her best-ever 4th place finish from 2015, while Lee Ye-won (19), currently leading the Rookie of the Year race, is expected to bring a rookie surge.