Im Jin-hee Leads by Two Days "Only One Day Left"... Rookie Yoon Ina 2 Strokes Behind in 2nd Place

Mekkol and Monapark Open Day 2: Adding 3 Under Par to Lead by 2 Strokes, Park Gyeol and Lee Yewon Tied for 3rd Place

Im Jin-hee is preparing for a tee shot on the 3rd hole on the second day of the Maekcol·Monapark Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Only one day left."

Im Jin-hee (24) added 3 under par on the second day of the McCol·Monapark Open (total prize money 800 million won) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour held on the 2nd at Birch Hill Golf Club in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,434 yards), maintaining her position at the top of the leaderboard for the second consecutive day (8 under par 136). Yoon Yi-na (19, Hite Jinro) is in second place, 2 strokes behind (6 under par 138), while Park Gyeol (26, Samil Pharmaceutical), Lee Ye-won (19, KB Financial Group), and Choi Ye-rim (23, SK Networks) are tied for third place, 3 strokes behind (5 under par 139), pursuing her.

Im Jin-hee was the winner of the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup in June last year. She debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2018 and reached the top after a remarkable 58 tournaments, drawing even more spotlight. She has also shed the stigma of being a 'regular at the qualifying tournament' and is challenging for her second career win this season, having entered the top 10 four times in 11 events. She was disappointed to finish tied for 6th in the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup title defense on the 26th. On this day, she recorded 4 birdies and 1 bogey. She expressed confidence, saying, "I perform well in the summer."

Yoo In-na is holing out at the 11th hole on the second day of the Maekcol·Monapark Open. Photo by KLPGA

This tournament saw the top three in the prize money rankings?three-time champion Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities), Lim Hee-jeong (22), and Park Ji-young (26, all from Korea Land & Housing Corporation)?all taking a break, increasing the chances of winning for others. Yoon Yi-na is a player to watch. She entered the tour this year after progressing through the Jump (3rd tier) Tour and Dream (2nd tier) Tour last year, and is gradually approaching the winning circle, including a 3rd place finish at the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup. Defending champion Kim Hae-rim (33, Samchully) was cut off after struggling with 6 over par.