2023 Seed Ranking Tournament: Hwang Yumin Secures 1st Place by One Stroke... Hwang Yumin Also Secures 4th Place Seed
Jung Heewon Returns to Tour in 2nd Place, Lee Jihyun in 3rd... An Sohyun Also Earns Seed
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seohee] Kim Minbyeol (18), a former national team member, has announced a spectacular debut in the 2023 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.
On the 18th, at the final round of the KLPGA 2023 Regular Tour Qualifying Tournament held at Muan Country Club (Par 72) in Muan, Jeollanam-do, Kim Minbyeol shot 3-under-par 69, finishing with a total score of 18-under-par 270 to claim first place.
Kim Minbyeol, who was selected for the national team with a 'wire-to-wire' victory at the 2022 Women's Golf National Team Selection, had already attracted attention as a 'super rookie.' Even before joining the national team, she won several trophies on the junior stage, including the 2016 Park Seri Cup National Elementary School Golf Tournament and the KLPGA-Samchully Together Dream Tree Tournament for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. She is known for her aggressive playing style, leveraging her unique competitiveness and boldness.
The second place went to veteran Jung Heewon (31). Jung recorded six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under-par 68, finishing with a total score of 17-under-par 271, just one stroke behind the leader.
Jung Heewon debuted on the KLPGA regular tour in 2009 and has competed in 264 tournaments over 14 seasons up to this year. She won her first title at the major MetLife-Korea Economic 34th KLPGA Championship in September 2012 but has not won since. Her best result this season was 10th place at the Hanwha Classic in August. Ranked 79th in the prize money standings this season, she came down to the qualifying tournament.
Lee Jihyun2 (26) also secured a stable position on the regular tour by finishing third with a total of 15-under-par 273. Lee is a skilled player who won the 2017 E1 Charity Open but lost her tour card due to a wrist injury and has been active on the Dream Tour. Fourth place (14-under-par 274) went to In Jooyeon (25), the 2018 NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship winner.
Additionally, Hwang Yumin (19), who also played on the national team this year alongside Kim Minbyeol, comfortably earned her tour card by finishing sixth with 13-under-par 275, and 'beautiful golfer' Ahn Sohyun (27) returned to the regular tour after two years by finishing 16th with 10-under-par 278.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
