"'Seed Round Regular' Im Jin-hee: '2nd Career Win in 1 Year'... 'Next Goal is to Earn 700 Million Won in Prize Money'"

Makcol·Mona Park Open Final Day: Yoon Ina Wins by 2 Shots with 3-Under Par, 2nd Place 'Tears'

Im Jin-hee is giving an exhilarating kiss to the trophy right after winning the Maccol·Monapark Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] "My next goal is to earn 700 million won in prize money."

‘Qualifying tournament regular’ Im Jin-hee (24, Ankang Construction) reached the ‘2-win milestone’ in just one year. On the final day of the KLPGA Tour McCol Monapark Open (total prize money 800 million won) held at Birch Hill Golf Club in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,434 yards) on the 3rd, she added a 3-under-par round to secure a 2-stroke victory (11-under-par 205). It was her first win of the season and her second career victory, maintaining the lead throughout the three days and demonstrating remarkable power. The winner’s prize money was 144 million won.

Im Jin-hee was the champion 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 staggering 58 tournaments, drawing even more spotlight. She shed the stigma of being a ‘qualifying tournament regular’ and showed an upward trend this year with four top-10 finishes in 11 events. In this tournament, she successfully took the lead with a 5-under-par first round and followed with consistent 3-under-par rounds in the second and third rounds. On the final day, she recorded five birdies and two bogeys.

Yoon Ina (19, Hite Jinro), who stumbled early with a double bogey on the 3rd hole (par 5), launched a chase with four consecutive birdies from the 9th to the 12th holes. Im Jin-hee responded with ‘stepping stone birdies’ on the 10th and 12th holes, showcasing especially her ‘iron will.’ It is interesting that on the final 18th hole (par 5), Im Jin-hee defeated Yoon Ina by closely placing her third shot just 1 yard from the hole right after Yoon Ina’s ‘2-on’ approach with a pinpoint iron shot. Both players made birdies, but Yoon Ina ultimately settled for second place (9-under-par 207).

Yoo Yina is holing out at the 5th hole on the final day of the Maccol·Monapark Open. Photo by KLPGA

“Yoon Ina’s momentum was formidable, so I played aggressively throughout,” said Im Jin-hee, who also admitted, “I couldn’t relax my mind during the entire game.” She added her ambition, “I’ve gained confidence and will immediately challenge for my second win of the season and 700 million won in prize money.” Champion group player Park Gyeol (26, Samil Pharmaceutical) struggled with a quintuple bogey on the 15th hole (par 5) and finished tied for 22nd place (1-over-par 217) after a difficult 6-over-par round. Choi Eun-woo (27, Korea Land & Housing Trust) and Choi Min-kyung (29) tied for 3rd place (6-under-par 210), followed by Lee Ye-won (19, KB Financial Group) in 5th place (5-under-par 211).