Lotte Open Day 1: 2-Shot Co-Leaders, Kim Suji and Jeong Seulgi Tied 3rd, Defending Champ Jang Hana Tied 29th at 1-Under Par
Lee Ye-won is making an iron shot on the 16th hole on the first day of the Lotte Open. Photo by KLPGA
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Lee Ye-won (19, KB Financial Group) is creating a rookie sensation.
On the 2nd, at the Incheon Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club (par 72, 6,725 yards), Lee led the leaderboard with a course record 8-under par on the first day of the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open (total prize money 800 million KRW). Sung Yoo-jin (22, Hanwha Q CELLS) joined the co-leader group, while Kim Su-ji (26, Dongbu Construction) and Jung Seul-gi (27, Huons) are chasing in a tie for 3rd place (6-under par 66).
Lee Ye-won boasted a perfect play with 8 birdies and no bogeys. Starting at the 10th hole (par 5), she picked up 'stepping stone birdies' on the 14th and 16th holes in the front nine. In the back nine, she showed fierce stamina with consecutive birdies on the 1st and 2nd holes, a birdie on the 4th hole (par 4), and a three-birdie streak from the 7th to 9th holes. She ran alongside the co-leaders after the second round, laying the foundation for her first career victory. Lee Ye-won is a rookie who joined the regular tour this year after finishing 5th in prize money on last year's Dream (2nd tier) Tour.
This season, she has competed in 8 tournaments and entered the 'top 10' four times, demonstrating her skill. Her personal best is the runner-up finish at last month's Doosan Match Play Championship. She is currently first in rookie points (879 points). Lee Ye-won exclaimed, "It was a difficult course, so I played with a clear mind," adding, "My shot feel was good, so the results came out well." She further explained, "My driving distance has increased compared to before, and my short game has improved," and "The increased accuracy of my iron shots is the secret to my good results."
Sung Yoo-jin also recorded 8 birdies without any bogeys, including 4 consecutive birdies. She is in her 4th year since debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2019. She has yet to win but has finished as runner-up twice. Sung Yoo-jin said, "8-under par is my personal lowest score over 18 holes in an official tournament," adding, "Last year, I was among the leaders in this tournament, but I regretfully made mistakes by hitting into the hazard three times on the 4th hole (par 3). This year, I want to finish well."
Lee Da-yeon (25, Mediheal) started smoothly in a tie for 5th place at 5-under par, and Ji Han-sol (26, Dongbu Construction) is tied for 9th at 4-under par. 'Mediheal Champ' Park Ji-young (26) and Lim Hee-jung (22, both Korea Land & Housing Corporation) are tied for 18th at 2-under par. Defending champion Jang Ha-na (30, BC Card), 'E1 Charity Champ' Jung Yoon-ji (NH Investment & Securities), and 'Kyochon Champ' Cho Ah-yeon (Dongbu Construction, all 22) are tied for 29th at 1-under par. Domestic number one Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) struggled, tied for 80th at 2-over par.
Park Minji is making an iron shot on the 8th hole on the first day of the Lotte Open. Photo by KLPGA
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