KLPGA Tour Embarks on 8-Month Journey... '3 Key Viewing Points'

Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open Domestic Opening on the 6th
Park Minji Defends No.1, Im Heejeong Wins First Individual Title
Kim Seoyoon, Kim Minbyeol, Lee Jihyun, Hwang Yumin Rookie Surge

"Again Dominji this year?"

The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour is entering the full swing of the 2023 season. Starting with the domestic opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open (total prize money 800 million KRW) held on the 6th at Lotte Skyhill CC Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,395 yards), the tour embarks on an eight-month-long journey. This year, there will be 32 tournaments with a total prize money of 31.1 billion KRW. This season of the KLPGA Tour is expected to be a record-breaking boom, making it a highlight for fans.

Park Minji challenges for the title of top winner and prize money leader for three consecutive years in the 2023 KLPGA Tour season.

Park Minji's defense of her 'No. 1 domestic' status is drawing attention. She has swept 12 wins over the past two years. She was the leading winner and money leader for two consecutive years. With a total of 16 wins on the KLPGA Tour, she ranks 4th all-time in wins behind the late Ku Okhee and Shin Jiyai, who each have 20 wins, and Ko Usun with 17 wins, making her the active player with the most victories. Her total earnings have also surpassed 5 billion KRW, second only to Jang Hana. She is regarded as 'unrivaled.' Park Minji said, "I have continued to work hard during the training camps to find and maintain a good rhythm," adding, "My goal this year is to win my first tournament and secondly, to stay strong until the final event."

Whether Lim Heejeong can defend her individual titles is also a point of interest. She debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2019 and has accumulated five wins. As a rookie, she won three times, including one major, and last year she claimed the national title at the Korean Women's Open. She boasts a strong fan base, having won the KLPGA Tour Popularity Award for two consecutive years. However, she has yet to win an individual award, which is a regret. She trained hard in Bangkok, Thailand, this past winter. Lim Heejeong said, "Besides the popularity award, I have never won an individual title," and expressed her determination, "This year, I will challenge for the money title."

This year is a bumper crop for 'super rookies.' Joining the tour are Kim Seoyoon, the Dream (2nd tier) Tour money leader, along with national representatives Kim Minbyeol, Lee Jihyun, and Hwang Yumin. Kim Seoyoon won three times on the 2nd tier tour. In December last year, she finished within the top 20 in tournaments held in Singapore and Vietnam. Kim Seoyoon confidently stated, "I will show a good performance as a rookie after preparing hard," and added, "I will challenge for the championship and Rookie of the Year."