Jieunhee "Solo Advancement to Semifinals"... Shin Ji-eun 'Eliminated in Overtime'

Bank of Hope Match Play Quarterfinals: Saxstrom Defeats by 7 Holes... Faces Andrea Lee for 'Final Ticket'

Ji Eun-hee is teeing off at the 2nd hole in the quarterfinals of the Bank of Hope Match Play. Las Vegas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Eldest sister’ Ji Eun-hee (36, Hanwha Q CELLS) advanced alone to the semifinals.

On the 29th (Korean time), at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72, 6,777 yards), Ji Eun-hee crushed Madelene Saxstrom (Sweden) by 7 holes in the quarterfinals of the LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Match Play (total prize money $1.5 million). She passed the group stage with 2 wins and 1 draw, and showed her strength by defeating rookie Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte), who had been on a 3-win streak in the round of 16, by 2 holes. Her opponent in the semifinals is Andrea Lee (USA).

The tournament is structured like the FIFA World Cup, with 64 players divided into 16 groups, and the top player from each group advancing to the round of 16, followed by one-on-one match play. Ji Eun-hee started off well by making a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4), then took the 3rd and 4th holes to seize the initiative. She then won the 6th hole (par 4) and the 9th through 11th holes, securing victory early at the 12th hole (par 4). She boasted perfect play with 5 birdies in 12 holes.

Ji Eun-hee debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2007 and has won a total of 5 tournaments, including one major. In January 2019, she won the Tournament of Champions ‘King of Kings’ event at the age of 32 years and 8 months, breaking the record for the oldest Korean winner held by Park Se-ri (45, retired) at 32 years, 7 months, and 18 days. On the other hand, Shin Ji-eun (30, Hanwha Q CELLS) lost to Lilia Vu (USA) after an extended playoff. The other semifinal match is between Ayaka Furue (Japan) and Vu.

Shin Ji-eun is reading the putting line on the 13th hole of the Bank of Hope Match Play quarterfinals. Las Vegas, USA = Photo by Getty Images / Multibits