Choi Hye-jin and Ji Eun-hee '2 Consecutive Wins'... Kim Hyo-joo '1 Win 1 Loss'

Bank of Hope Match Play Group Stage Round 2: Ashok and Daniel Kang Defeat Defending Champ Ewing 1-1, Titikun Eliminated with 2 Losses

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Rookie Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte, photo) is sailing smoothly.

On the 27th (Korean time), at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72, 6,777 yards), in the second group stage match of the LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Match Play (total prize money $1.5 million), she defeated Aditi Ashok (India, 1 win 1 loss) by 3 holes. This is her second consecutive win after a 5-hole victory over Oh Soo-hyun (Australia) the previous day. Like the World Cup in soccer, 64 players are divided into 16 groups, with the top player from each group advancing to the round of 16, which is played in a one-on-one match format.

Choi Hye-jin engaged in a close battle with Ashok, leading by 1 hole after 14 holes, then won the 15th hole (par 4) and 16th hole (par 5) to finish the match. Her final group stage opponent in the third match is Lizette Salas (USA, 2 losses). Choi debuted on the US stage this year after going through the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series last December, and has quickly adapted by finishing in the top 10 four times, including 3rd place at the Lotte Championship, in eight tournaments this season. This is why her first victory in this tournament is highly anticipated.

Ji Eun-hee is disappointed after missing a birdie putt on the 5th hole of the second match in the group stage of the Bank of Hope Match Play. Las Vegas, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

‘Eldest sister’ Ji Eun-hee (36, Hanwha Q CELLS) won her second consecutive match by defeating Danielle Kang (USA, 2 losses) by 2 holes. Shin Ji-eun (30, Hanwha Q CELLS, 2 wins) also defeated Hannah Green (Australia, 1 win 1 loss) by 5 holes. ‘Lotte Championship champ’ Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte, 1 win 1 loss) secured her first win by edging out Sarah Schmelzel (USA, 1 draw 1 loss) by 2 holes. On the other hand, Yoo So-yeon (32, Mediheal, 2 losses) lost to Jodi Ewart Shadoff (England, 2 wins) by 3 holes, ending her hopes of advancing to the round of 16.

Defending champion Ally Ewing (USA) kept her hopes alive for the round of 16 by defeating Jasmine Suwannapura (Thailand, both 1 win 1 loss) by 3 holes. Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand, 2 losses), who is competing with Choi Hye-jin for Rookie of the Year and is the ‘JTBC Classic champ,’ failed to advance to the round of 16 after losing to Amy Olson (USA, 2 wins) by 1 hole. ‘Founders Cup champ’ Minjee Lee (Australia) was leading Brittany Altomare (USA, both 1 win 1 loss) by 3 holes through the 7th hole (par 5) but was overturned and lost by 2 holes.

Ally Ewing is walking toward the green on the 13th hole during the second match of the Bank of Hope Match Play group stage. Las Vegas, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multivitz