"'Gangho Killer' Hong Jeong-min Advances to Finals, Defeats Park Min-ji and Lim Hee-jung... Faces Lee Ye-won"

On the Final Day of the Doosan Match Play Championship, Im Hee-jeong Scores a 'Big Par' on the Second Extra Hole in the Semifinals, Lee Ye-won Defeats An Song-i

Hong Jeong-min is examining the putting line on the 13th hole during the semifinal match on the final day of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyunjun] ‘Giant Killer’ Hong Jeong-min (20) advanced to the final after a grueling battle over 20 holes.

On the 22nd, at the Gangwon-do Chuncheon Ladena Golf Club (par 72, 6,350 yards), during the semifinals of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW), she made her move. Trailing by 2 holes to Lim Hee-jeong (22, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) at holes 14-15, she produced consecutive birdies to force a tie, and sealed the match with a ‘big par’ on the second hole of the resumed playoff at hole 11 (par 4). She will compete against Lee Ye-won (19, KB Financial Group) for the championship.

Hong Jeong-min drew particular attention by defeating defending champion Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) in the round of 16. It was notable that Park Min-ji had just secured her second consecutive victory at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, which ended on the 15th, marking the first title defense in the history of this tournament and her attempt at ‘back-to-back wins in two weeks.’ In the quarterfinals, Hong edged out last year’s Rookie of the Year Song Ga-eun (22, MG Saemaeul Geumgo) by one hole, and on this day, she also overcame last year’s second-place money winner Lim Hee-jeong.

Rookie of the Year race leader Lee Ye-won defeated Ahn Song-yi (32) by 2 holes. She is a player noted for her consistency, having never missed a cut in six tournaments this season. She is gradually approaching the winner’s circle, with a tie for 5th place at the April Nexen Saintnine Masters and the May NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship. “I never dreamed I would make it to the final,” she said, “but I will give my best until the very end,” showing her fighting spirit. Lim Hee-jeong and Ahn Song-yi will compete in the third-place playoff.