'Daesang Point and Average Strokes' Kim Suji and Yoo Hae-ran Clash
Prize Money Rankings 60th and 61st Battle to Stay on Tour
Choi Na-yeon's Retirement Stage Also Overlaps
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seo-hee] The 2022 season of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour concludes with the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW).
The season finale, held over three days from the 11th at La Vie Belle Golf & Resort (par 72) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, promises a rich spectacle even before it begins. Among the major individual awards, the winners of the Player of the Year and scoring average categories have yet to be decided and will be finalized through this tournament. Additionally, players challenging key records are drawing attention.
Kim Su-ji and Yoo Hae-ran Compete for Player of the Year Points Lead
Currently, the leader in the Player of the Year category is Kim Su-ji (26) with 716 points. Yoo Hae-ran (21) is in second place with 648 points.
Unlike the prize money and most wins titles, which Park Min-ji (24) secured at the S-OIL Championship, the Player of the Year race still has potential for a turnaround. The winner of this tournament receives 70 Player of the Year points, so if Yoo Hae-ran wins, she would reach 718 points, surpassing Kim Su-ji by 2 points. Yoo Hae-ran won this tournament last year with a score of 11-under-par 205, finishing 3 strokes ahead. Drawing on last year’s experience, a comeback is definitely possible.
However, there is a condition. For Yoo Hae-ran to claim the Player of the Year points lead, Kim Su-ji must finish outside the top 10.
Currently, KLPGA Player of the Year points are awarded only to players finishing within the top 10. In tournaments with total prize money exceeding 1 billion KRW, points are distributed from 70 to 41 points for players ranked 1st to 10th, respectively. If Kim Su-ji finishes within the top 10, she will earn at least 41 points, securing the Player of the Year title regardless of Yoo Hae-ran’s result.
Though the condition is tough, Yoo Hae-ran’s comeback possibility remains. Kim Su-ji finished tied for 26th at the recently concluded S-OIL Championship on the 6th, while Yoo Hae-ran secured 7th place alone, extending the Player of the Year competition to the season finale.
Can a Dramatic Turnaround Happen in the Scoring Average?
The competition between Kim Su-ji and Yoo Hae-ran is also fierce in the scoring average category.
Currently, Kim Su-ji leads with an average score of 70.452. Yoo Hae-ran is second with 70.557, followed by Park Ji-young (26) in third with 70.568.
If Kim Su-ji shoots an even-par round in this tournament, her average would become 70.506. Under this scenario, Yoo Hae-ran would need to shoot 9-under-par or better to overtake her. Park Ji-young would need to shoot 10-under-par to surpass Kim Su-ji under the same conditions.
At present, Kim Su-ji’s chance of maintaining the top scoring average is high. However, if Kim Su-ji struggles and Yoo Hae-ran and Park Ji-young deliver outstanding performances, a turnaround is not impossible.
'1,608,000 KRW'... The ‘Tour Survival Battle’ Between 60th and 61st Place
The competition to remain on the KLPGA Tour is expected to be intense.
Currently, to survive on the KLPGA Tour, players must either win a tournament or finish within the top 60 in prize money. If a player fails to rank within the top 60, they must pass the ‘hellish qualifying tournament’ to compete on the first division tour next season. Failure to remain on the first division tour results in relegation to the second division Dream Tour. Although the Dream Tour (2nd division) and Jump Tour (3rd division) have grown compared to before, competing on the first division tour is still considered an honor among players.
Currently, the 60th place in prize money is held by Ahn Song-yi (32) with 136,454,000 KRW. The 61st place is Kim Hee-jun (22) with 134,845,368 KRW. The difference between the two is about 1,608,000 KRW, indicating a fierce competition.
The 2023 regular tour qualifying preliminary rounds will be held over two days, from the 8th to the 9th, at Muan Golf Club in Jeollanam-do. The format is 18 holes per day, totaling 36 holes stroke play over two days.
Lee So-mi’s Challenge for a ‘3-Week Consecutive Win’
Lee So-mi (23), who recently dominated tournaments held consecutively over two weeks in Jeju Island, is aiming for a spectacular season finale with a third consecutive win.
Lee So-mi secured back-to-back victories at the SK Networks·Seoul Economic Daily Ladies Classic held in October and the following week’s S-OIL Championship.
If Lee So-mi wins this tournament as well, she will become the fourth player to achieve ‘3 consecutive wins on the KLPGA Tour.’ Previously, only Park Se-ri (45) in 1996, Kim Mi-hyun (45) in 1997, and Seo Hee-kyung (36, all retired) in 2008 have accomplished this feat.
Choi Na-yeon’s Farewell Stage on the KLPGA Tour
There is also a player bidding farewell to the KLPGA Tour after this tournament.
Choi Na-yeon (35), who retired from the LPGA Tour at the BMW Ladies Championship held in Wonju, Gangwon Province, in October, will also say goodbye to the KLPGA Tour after this event.
Choi Na-yeon achieved 9 wins on the LPGA Tour and 6 wins on the KLPGA Tour (including 1 win as an amateur).
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