Three Key Viewing Points of the "Evian Championship"... 'Jeon In-ji, Park In-bi, and Ko Jin-young'

Jeon In-ji's 'Major 2 Consecutive Wins' at This Year's Fourth Major, Park In-bi's 'Career Super Slam', Ko Jin-young's 'Again 2019' Declaration

‘KPMG Women's Champ’ Jeon In-ji aims for back-to-back major wins at the Amundi Evian Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae Noh] "5 wins in 22 years."

This is South Korea's all-time record at the Amundi Evian Championship (total prize money $6.5 million), the fourth major of the LPGA Tour, held on the afternoon of the 21st (Korean time) at Evian Resort Golf Club (par 71, 6,527 yards) in Evian-les-Bains, France. Evian closely resembles Korean golf courses. It is located in a mountainous area with narrow fairways and severe undulations. Considering the course is similar to those in Korea, the number of trophies is lacking. This is a key point to watch for Korea at this year's Evian Championship.

◆ Jeon In-ji’s ‘Back-to-Back Majors’ = The focus is on the victory of ‘Flying Dumbo’ Jeon In-ji (28). On the 27th of last month, she secured a one-stroke win at the third major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (total prize money $9 million). She ended a slump by winning for the first time in 3 years and 8 months since the KEB Hana Bank Championship in October 2018. Jeon In-ji is a major powerhouse. In 2015, she collected major championship trophies in Korea, the U.S., and Japan, becoming the first player in history to win three tour majors in a single season.

Above all, the Evian Championship is a ‘promised land’ where she created new records in 2016, including the lowest 54-hole score (194 strokes) and 72-hole score (263 strokes) in a major, and the most under-par score in men’s and women’s majors (21 under par). Of her four LPGA Tour wins, three are major victories. She is one step closer to the ‘Career Grand Slam,’ having won four of the five major championships in women’s golf worldwide. She recharged her body and mind through hobbies like painting. Jeon In-ji said, "I will continue to challenge for major wins."

‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee challenges the ‘Career Super Slam’ by winning all five majors at the Amundi Evian Championship.

◆ Park In-bi’s ‘Career Super Slam’ = The ‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bi (34) is also a hot topic with her challenge for the ‘Career Super Slam.’ She debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2007 and has amassed 21 wins, including seven majors. In 2016, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the youngest age (27 years, 10 months, and 28 days). She achieved the first Korean ‘Career Grand Slam’ by winning the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2013 Nabisco Championship and LPGA Championship, and the 2015 Women’s British Open.

Adding to this, she won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, setting a milestone called the ‘Career Golden Slam.’ If she wins the Evian Championship, she will become the first in global golf history to achieve the ‘Career Super Slam.’ Park In-bi has experience winning this tournament before it became a major in 2012. She is currently recalling those good memories. However, her condition is not perfect as she has failed to enter the ‘Top 10’ in the last four consecutive tournaments.

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young hopes to win a major title at the Amundi Evian Championship for the first time in three years since 2019.

◆ Ko Jin-young ‘Again 2019’ = World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) aims for her second win following 2019. On the final day then, she started tied for third place, four strokes behind, and surged with a 4-under-par round to clinch a two-stroke come-from-behind victory. In 2019, she achieved four wins including two majors. She swept awards such as Player of the Year, Money Leader, Lowest Scoring Average, and the Annika Major Award, firmly announcing the start of the ‘Ko Jin-young era.’

This year, Ko Jin-young has played in nine tournaments, entering the ‘Top 5’ four times including one win. She ranks 5th in scoring average (69.94), 7th in Player of the Year points (63 points) and CME Globe Race points (1,364 points), and 9th in the money list ($1,082,271). At this tournament, she is determined to end her four-month win drought since winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship in March. Since the 2019 Evian Championship, Ko Jin-young has won eight times but has yet to add a major crown.