Rookie Seo Eojin "Leap to the Lead"... 'Number 1' Park Minji "2nd Place, 2 Strokes Behind"

On the Second Day of BC Card-Hankyung Ladies Cup, Park Ji-young and Yoon Ina Tied for 3rd Place, Defending Champion Lim Jin-hee Tied for 6th Place

Rookie Seo Eojin is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the second day of the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Seo Eojin (21) is creating a rookie sensation.

On the 25th, at Pocheon Hills Golf Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,610 yards), during the second day of the KLPGA Tour BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup (total prize money 800 million KRW), she surged with a 6-under-par round to take the lead at 12-under-par 132 strokes. Domestic No. 1 Park Min-ji (24) is in second place at 10-under-par 134 strokes, rookie Yoon Ina (19) and 'Mediheal Champ' Park Ji-young are tied for third at 9-under-par 135 strokes, and Oh Ji-hyun (both 26) is chasing from fifth place at 8-under-par 136 strokes.

Seo Eojin delivered a flawless performance, recording six birdies without any bogeys. She reduced three strokes in the front nine with consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4 and a birdie on hole 7 (par 4), and finished the back nine strongly with consecutive birdies on holes 11 and 12 and a birdie on hole 14 (par 3). Leading by two strokes, she secured her first-ever chance to win. Seo Eojin ranked 15th in last November’s regular tour qualifying tournament. She has participated in 10 tournaments this year, with her best finish being 22nd at last month’s E1 Charity Open.

Seo Eojin exclaimed, "It’s the first time I’ve seen my name at the top of the leaderboard," adding, "I was a bit surprised but felt good." She continued, "Although I will play in the champion group on the final day, I won’t pay attention to the surrounding circumstances," and stated, "I will focus only on my own play." Park Min-ji reduced two strokes and is eyeing her third win of the season. Defending champion Lim Jin-hee (24) is tied for sixth at 7-under-par 137 strokes, and last week’s Korean Women’s Open winner Lim Hee-jeong (22) is tied for 11th at 5-under-par 139 strokes.