Jeon In-ji Hole-in-One "Donates $1 Million Prize Money"

Written at 17th Hole of 3rd Round at Chevron Championship
Sponsor Chevron Promises Golf Development Fund

“Major Hunter” Jeon In-ji recorded a hole-in-one.

On the 22nd (local time), Jeon In-ji made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole (par 3, 164 yards) of the third round at the Chevron Championship, the first major of the 2023 LPGA Tour season, held at The Club at Carlton Woods Jack Nicklaus Signature Course (par 72, 6,824 yards) in Houston, Texas, USA. The ball struck with a 5-iron landed on the green and rolled directly into the hole.

Jeon In-ji smiles after making a birdie on the 7th hole of the 3rd round at the Major Chevron Championship. [Houston, USA=AP·Yonhap News]

The 17th hole where Jeon In-ji made the hole-in-one does not offer a prize to players, but the sponsor Chevron offered $1 million (about 1.33 billion KRW) for the first hole-in-one of the tournament. This money will be donated to the LPGA Foundation and Girls Golf Houston to support youth golf development.

Jeon In-ji said with a bright smile, "I was eager because making a hole-in-one on this hole would allow me to go under par." She added, "I was a bit disappointed because there was no car prize, but after hearing the meaning of this hole, I thought it was even more valuable." She continued, "I am happier because I can help somewhere," and expressed joy, calling it "the most meaningful hole-in-one of my life."

Jeon In-ji, who is challenging the “Career Grand Slam,” struggled with 6 over par in the first round and was likely to be cut. However, she shot 6 under par in the second round to advance to the final round tied for 49th place, and in the third round, including the hole-in-one, she lowered her score by 3 more strokes to leap to a tie for 18th place (3 under par, 213 strokes). She is 7 strokes behind the co-leaders Angel Yin and Alison Koepka (both from the USA).