Bae Sohyun Challenges for Maiden Victory at KLPGA Season Finale

SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship 1R One-Stroke Lead
Kim Suji Cruises Toward No.1 in Grand Prize Points Tied for 3rd

Bae Sohyun is teeing off at the 1st hole during the 2nd round of the KLPGA Tour 'SK Networks-Seoul Economic Ladies Classic' held at Jeju Pinx GC on the 28th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] Bae Sohyun (29) made a strong challenge for her first victory by sweeping 6 birdies without any bogeys in the final tournament of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season.

Still without a win, Bae Sohyun shot a 6-under-par 66 in the first round of the KLPGA Tour SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 11th at La Vie Est Belle CC (par 72, 6,794 yards) in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, placing her at the top of the leaderboard.

Starting her round at the 10th hole (par 4), Bae Sohyun began cautiously by saving par on the first five holes. After warming up, her clubs started firing in the middle of the round. She recorded consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, then made three consecutive birdies from the 4th to the 6th holes, showing excellent form. She finished the round with a birdie on the final hole, the 9th hole (par 4).

The chase from the leaders was fierce as well. Cho Ayeon recorded 5 birdies without any bogeys, shooting 5-under-par 67 to closely pursue the leader.

Kim Suji (26) and Kim Heeji (22), ranked first in the points race for the Player of the Year award, also posted 4-under-par 68, sharing third place and forming the leading group. Kim Suji can secure the Player of the Year award outright by finishing in the top 10 in this tournament. Even if she falls outside the top 10, she will still win the award unless second-place Yoo Haeran wins the tournament.

The battle for the 60th place in the prize money ranking, which guarantees a tour card for next year, also saw mixed fortunes. Players outside the 60th place must compete in a qualifying tournament with top players from the second-tier tour after the season ends to earn eligibility for next year's tour.

An Songyi (32), currently barely holding 60th place, and Kim Woojung (24), ranked 59th, both shot 3-under-par 69, tying for 5th place and gaining an advantageous position to secure their tour cards.

On the other hand, Kim Heejun (22), trailing An Songyi by only 1.61 million KRW and aiming for a comeback, is expected to face difficulties securing a tour card. Despite making 4 birdies, he was hampered by 5 bogeys and 1 double bogey, finishing with a 3-over-par 75 and tied for 61st place.

Choi Na-yeon is reading the lie on the green of the 2nd hole during the first round of the KLPGA Tour 'SK Shielders·SK Telecom Championship' held on the 11th at La Vie Belle CC in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.
[Photo by Choi Tae-won]

Meanwhile, Choi Nayeon (35), who is retiring from her brilliant playing career after this event, was seen enjoying the round with smiles alongside her groupmates An Seonju and Lee Bomi, regardless of her score. With three holes remaining, she had recorded 3 birdies and 3 bogeys. She made a double bogey on the 16th hole (par 4) and a bogey on the 17th hole (par 3), finishing with a 3-over-par 75 and tied for 61st place.