Im Jin-hee 'Hunts 4 Wins in Final Match'... "I Am the Top Winner"

SK Shielders and SK Telecom Open 5-Stroke Victory
Lee Da-yeon 2nd, Kim Min-ju and Jeong So-i Tied 3rd
Park Joo-young 5th, Bang Shin-sil 6th, Park Ji-young Tied 9th

Im Jin-hee reached the milestone of her fourth victory.

On the 12th, at the final round of the 2023 season's last event of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW), held at La Vie Belle Country Club Old Course in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,805 yards), she shot 5 under par in the final 3rd round to secure a commanding 5-stroke victory (16 under par 200). This marked her fourth win of the season since the SangSangin·Korea Economic TV Open on the 22nd of last month, her sixth career win, and earned her a winner's prize of 200 million KRW.

Im Jin-hee is teeing off at the 3rd hole of the final 3rd round of the SK Shielders·SK Telecom Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Im Jin-hee surpassed Lee Ye-won and Park Ji-young, who each had three wins this year, to claim the title of top winner. Starting the day 2 strokes ahead, she made five birdies. After loosening up with her first birdie on the 9th hole (par 4), she escaped her competitors' pursuit with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes. She then added two more birdies on the 17th hole (par 3) and the final 18th hole (par 4) to celebrate her victory. Im said, “This year is a perfect 100 points. It is an honor to have won four times. After the birdie on the 15th hole, I sensed the victory.” She added, “With the domestic tournaments over, I plan to prepare for the LPGA Tour qualifying school. I ask for your continued support.”

Lee Da-yeon fought hard, lowering her score by 2 strokes but was satisfied with 2nd place (11 under par 205). Jung So-i and Kim Min-ji tied for 3rd place (3 under par 213), Park Joo-young was 5th (2 under par 214), Bang Shin-sil 6th (1 under par 215), Park Ji-young tied for 9th (1 over par 217), and the leaders in the overall rankings for MVP, prize money, and average score?Lee Ye-won, Kim Su-ji, and Park Hyun-kyung?tied for 11th (2 over par 218). Rookie of the Year Kim Min-byeol tied for 14th (3 over par 219), LPGA member Park Sung-hyun tied for 21st (4 over par 220), and defending champion Park Min-ji finished tied for 50th (10 over par 226) to close the tournament.