Han, Who Will Break the LPGA's 6-Tournament Winless Streak?

Taeguk Nangja Fails to Achieve 6 Consecutive Wins
Attempt to Overcome Slump at Ford Championship
Kim Hyo-joo, Yang Hee-young, Yoo Hae-ran, Kim Se-young Compete

Who will end the 'championship drought'?

World No. 9 Kim Hyo-joo challenges for the title at the Ford Championship.

The Taegeuk Ladies are once again challenging for their first victory on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. The Ford Championship (total prize money $2.2 million), held on the 28th (local time) at the Seville Golf & Country Club (par 72, 6,734 yards) in Gilbert, Arizona, is the battleground. It is a newly established tournament this year. Applied materials chemical company KCC is the official sponsor, making the official tournament name the 'Ford Championship presented by KCC.'

Korea has fallen into a slump this season. In the six tournaments held earlier this year, they have not secured a single win. It is the first time in 10 years since 2014 that there have been no wins in the first six tournaments of the season. In 2014, 'Golf Empress' Park In-bee earned the first Korean victory at the 14th tournament of the season, the Manulife Financial Classic, held in June of that year.

Korea is sending players including world No. 9 Kim Hyo-joo, Yang Hee-young, Choi Hye-jin, Shin Ji-eun, Yoo Hae-ran, Kim Sei-young, and Jeon In-ji to this tournament. Also, rookies who debuted on the LPGA Tour this year, such as Lee So-mi, Sung Yu-jin, and Lim Jin-hee, are on the entry list. Expectations are high for Choi Hye-jin, who tied for 9th place at the Blue Bay LPGA held in China earlier this month.

The competitors are formidable as well. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), who has won twice this year, aims for her third win of the season and a second consecutive victory. Korean-American player Lydia Ko (New Zealand) is hunting for her second win. Bailey Tardy (USA) and Hannah Green (Australia) also hope for their second wins of the season. Other contenders include world No. 2 Lilia Vu (USA), No. 3 C?line Boutier (France), and No. 4 Lin Xiyu (China).