‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young: “This Time, Major Queen”… Korda’s ‘Title Defense’

Third Major of the Year: KPMG Women's PGA Championship Victory Bid, Former Champions Including Park In-bee and Kim Sei-young Join

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young aims to become the 'Major Queen' at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Woo-rae] "This time, it's the 'Major Queen'. "

It is the strong confidence of world No.1 Ko Jin-young (27). On the night of the 23rd (Korean time), the third major of this season's LPGA Tour, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (total prize money $9 million), begins its epic journey at Congressional Golf Club (par 72, 6,831 yards) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. World No.2 Nelly Korda (USA) is defending her title, and Korea is supporting with Park An-bi (34), the 'three-time consecutive winner'.

Ko Jin-young is the 'Number 1' dominating the world women's golf scene. She has swept a total of 13 wins on the U.S. stage, including two major victories. She won the Rookie of the Year in 2018, and in 2019, she was named Player of the Year, won the Vare Trophy, and topped the money list. She was the first Korean player to win the money title three consecutive times (2019?2021) and won the Player of the Year award twice (2019, 2021). Last year, she won five tournaments in the season, including successfully defending her title at the final CME Group Tour Championship.

She is also cruising this year. She won the HSBC Women's World Championship in March. She has appeared in eight tournaments and entered the 'Top 10' four times. She ranks 4th in Player of the Year points (63 points) and scoring average (69.55), 5th in the CME Globe Race (1,337 points), and 6th in earnings ($1,022,284). In April at the LA Open, her shot mistake in the mud on the 17th hole (par 4) in the third round resulted in a 'quadruple bogey', and a '4-putt double bogey' on the 7th hole (par 3) in the fourth round drew attention.

She has been on the rise with two 'Top 5' finishes in the last four tournaments. She skipped last week's Meijer Classic to focus on this tournament. She took sufficient rest and honed her short game. She recorded a tie for 11th place in 2018 and a tie for 14th place in 2019 at this event. Congressional Golf Club has hosted men's majors such as the US Open and PGA Championship. Golf Channel USA described it as "a place requiring strategic play" and predicted "Ko Jin-young is a strong favorite to win."

Defending champion Nelly Korda is aiming for her second consecutive win at the major KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Korda is on a march for her second consecutive win. She is a strong player with seven wins, including one major. She won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. However, she faced ups and downs after being diagnosed with thrombosis earlier this year and focused on treatment. She returned after four months at the US Women's Open on the 2nd, finishing tied for 8th, and showed great form with a tie for 2nd at last week's Meijer Classic. She is recalling the thrilling memory of her 3-stroke victory last year.

Korea's Park In-bi is determined to restore her honor. She has played in 11 tournaments this season but only three 'Top 10' finishes. She suffered the humiliation of missing the cut at the Gainbridge, Lotte Championship, and Meijer Classic. Among her seven major wins, she built a golden tower with three consecutive wins at this event from 2013 to 2015. She is determined to show the might of a 'big match' champion. Former champions such as Park Sung-hyun (28), the 2018 winner, and Kim Se-young (29), the 2020 winner, have also joined the field.