Hyejin Choi Ties for 4th at Arkansas Championship "Overturn the 4-Stroke Deficit"

Rookie of the Year Contender Titikkun Surges to Lead with 10-Under Par

[Asia Economy Reporter Seonjin Byun] Choi Hye-jin (23) rose to a tie for 4th place in the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on the U.S. LPGA Tour.

Choi Hye-jin [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 24th (local time), Choi Hye-jin shot a 6-under-par 65 with 1 eagle, 5 birdies, and 1 bogey in the second round held at Pinnacle Country Club (par 71) in Rogers, Arkansas. Although she made a bogey on the 4th hole (par 4), she recorded a birdie on the 6th hole (par 3) and followed it up with an eagle on the 7th hole (par 5), continuing her momentum. She added another birdie on the 8th hole (par 4), reducing her score by 3 strokes in the front nine. In the back nine, she added 3 more strokes with 3 birdies and no bogeys.

With a total score of 10-under-par 132, she is tied for 4th place along with Choi Woon-jung (32), Lee Jeong-eun 5 (34), Danielle Kang, Megan Kang, and Jennifer Kupcho (all from the U.S.). Choi Hye-jin has achieved nine top-10 finishes in 21 tournaments this year, though she has yet to secure a victory.

Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), who is competing with Choi Hye-jin for the Rookie of the Year title, delivered a perfect round with 10-under-par in a single day, taking the lead with a total score of 14-under-par 128. Thitikul, who earned her first career win at the JTBC Classic in March, leads the rookie race with 1,149 points, 34 points ahead of Choi Hye-jin (1,115 points).

Yuka Saso (Japan), last year’s U.S. Women’s Open champion, is in 2nd place with 13-under-par 129. Lee Jeong-eun (34), who was co-leader after the first day, dropped to a tie for 4th place (10-under-par 132). Kim A-lim (26) is tied for 12th place (9-under-par 133), and Kim Se-young (29) dropped to a tie for 18th place (8-under-par 134) after improving by only one stroke on the day.