Yoo Hae-ran "Green Light to the US"... '1st Place and 2-Stroke Difference'

Yoo Hae-ran Ties for 6th in Week 1 of LPGA Q-Series, Hartlage Leads
Challenges for Top Spot in Week 2 Starting on 8th... Lee Mi-hyang Boards Last Train at Tied 66th

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Yu Hae-ran (photo), the 2020 Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Rookie of the Year, has signaled a green light for her entry into the United States.

On the 4th (local time), Yu Hae-ran surged to a tie for 6th place (12-under 274) by shooting 7-under in the 4th round of the 2022 U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Qualifying (Q) Series, held at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course Crossing Course (par 72, 6,664 yards) in Mobile, Alabama.

This tournament, where 100 players compete for LPGA Tour cards for the 2023 season, has the top 70 players from the first week advancing to the second week. The combined scores from rounds 5 to 8 in the second week and the first week's results determine the top 20 players who earn LPGA Tour tickets for next year. The second week’s competition will be held over four days starting on the 8th at the Highland Oaks Golf Course in Dothan, Alabama.

Yu Hae-ran started tied for 25th and delivered a perfect performance with seven birdies and no bogeys. She reduced her score by three strokes in the front nine with birdies on holes 4, 6, and 7, then added consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11, plus two more birdies on holes 13 and 16 in the back nine. She is just two strokes behind the leader, giving her a chance to claim the top spot. Last year, Anna Lin won first place and Choi Hye-jin finished third in this tournament, earning their entry into the U.S. stage.

Lauren Hartlage (USA) added 4-under to take the top of the leaderboard at 14-under 272. Four players, including Polly Mack (Germany), are tied for second place at 13-under 273. From Korea, Park Geum-gang, who has two wins on the LPGA Epson (2nd tier) Tour, is tied for 25th at 9-under 277. Two-time LPGA Tour champion Lee Mi-hyang is tied for 66th at 2-under 284, barely making the cut.