HSBC Women's World Championship Pride Battle
World Ranking Points Difference 0.09 - 'Close Match'
Ko Jin-young Aims for 3 Consecutive Wins, Tawattananakit Seeks 2 Consecutive Victories
Singapore is heating up.
World No. 15 Yang Hee-young (3.74 points) and No. 16 Shin Ji-ae (3.65 points) are set for a pride battle. The second leg of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing, the HSBC Women's World Championship (total prize money $1.8 million), will be held over four days starting the 29th at Sentosa GC Tanjong Course in Singapore (par 72, 6,749 yards). Both players are aiming to compete in the women's individual golf event at the Paris Olympics this August. If they break into the top 15 in the world rankings, they can realize their dream of playing on the Olympic stage. The ranking points difference between the two players is only 0.09.
The Paris Olympics allows two players per country. Based on the world rankings as of June 24, countries with four or more players in the top 15 can send up to four players. World No. 6 Ko Jin-young and No. 9 Kim Hyo-joo are likely to participate in the Paris Olympics. The remaining spots are being contested by the Taeguk ladies.
Yang Hee-young has had a decent start this year. She tied for 18th at the Ladies European Tour (LET) Aramco Saudi Ladies International, which ended on the 18th, and tied for 23rd last week at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Shin Ji-ae is feeling the pressure. Her main stage is the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, where ranking points are not awarded as generously, making it difficult. She finished tied for 60th at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.
A total of 12 Taeguk ladies, including Yang Hee-young and Shin Ji-ae, will compete. Korea has been very strong in this tournament, winning four consecutive times since 2019. In the past nine years, Korea has won seven out of eight tournaments held. The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19. Great expectations are placed on Ko Jin-young, who is aiming for a third consecutive title. Kim Sei-young and Choi Hye-jin, who tied for third at the Honda LPGA Thailand, are also aiming for their first win again. Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) is targeting her second consecutive victory.
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