An Seonju Returns... Seizes Chance for KLPGA Tour Victory After 13 Years

Hi One Resort Women's Open 3R: 5 Birdies Only, Sole Leader

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] An Seon-ju (35) is on the verge of winning the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour title for the first time in 13 years.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 20th, An Seon-ju shot a 5-under-par 67 in the third round of the KLPGA Tour High1 Resort Ladies Open (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at High1 Resort Country Club (par 72) in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province, taking the solo lead with a cumulative score of 10-under-par 206.

An Seon-ju played a perfect round with five birdies and no bogeys. An Seon-ju said, "Honestly, parenting is so tough that I don't have time or energy left to practice. Participating in tournaments is my practice." She added, "It was a difficult course, so focusing on each shot paid off." She continued, "Honestly, I am worried about tomorrow, but if I play the golf I want, I hope the heavens will be kind and give me the gift of victory." An Seon-ju is seizing her 8th KLPGA Tour win opportunity this time since her victory at the KB Kookmin Bank Star Tour 2nd tournament in September 2009. Since debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2006, she won seven times over four years until 2009.

Although An Seon-ju moved to Japan in 2010 and had no KLPGA Tour wins during that period, she amassed an impressive 28 wins in Japan and was the money list leader four times, leaving a significant mark. Combining her wins on the Japan Tour and KLPGA Tour, she has 35 victories, earning her a permanent KLPGA Tour card. After giving birth to twins (a son and a daughter) in June last year, she is competing on the KLPGA Tour this year instead of Japan.

Han Jin-seon (25), who shot 5-under, Choi Ye-rim (23), who recorded a 4-under-par 68, and Kim Su-ji (26), who shot 1-under, are tied for second place, three strokes behind, heading into the final round. Kim Su-ji, who won twice last year but has yet to win this year, dropped one spot from a tie for first after the second round. Han Jin-seon and Choi Ye-rim have yet to win on the KLPGA Tour.

Jung Yoon-ji (22), winner of the E1 Charity Open, shot 5-under to rise to 5th place (6-under-par 210), and Yu Hae-ran (21), the points leader, is tied for 6th place (5-under-par 211) heading into the final round. Park Min-ji (24), who leads the money rankings and has three wins this season, improved her position to a tie for 24th place (even par 216) after shooting 2-under.