Choi Gabin Storm... 'Saw Only 7 Birdies?'

Doosan We’ve Championship Leads on First Day
"I Will Do My Best to Aim for Victory"

Choi Ga-bin took a surprising lead in the domestic season opener.

Choi Gabin is teeing off at the 9th hole during the first round of the Doosan We’ve Championship.

On the 4th, at the Teddy Valley Golf & Resort (par 72, 6,685 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, Choi shot a 7-under-par 65 in the first round of the KLPGA Tour Doosan Construction Weave Championship (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), taking the top spot on the leaderboard. She recorded seven birdies without a single bogey. Until now, she had only once shot a 66 in the KLPGA Tour, making this her first 65.

Choi Ga-bin played both the Dream (2nd tier) Tour and the regular tour in 2022, and started competing full-time on the KLPGA Tour last year. She barely kept her card by finishing 52nd in the prize money rankings last year, with her best result being a tie for 4th at the KG Ladies Open in September. Last month, at the 2024 season opener, the Hana Financial Group Singapore Ladies Open, she showed her potential by shooting scores in the 60s all four days and finishing 7th.

Choi said with a smile, "My shot feel wasn’t better than during practice, but I made almost no mistakes. I do regret missing two birdie opportunities. I’m satisfied with finishing the round without a bogey." She added, "Rather than focusing on technical training, I tried to have the mindset to believe in myself," and vowed, "I will do my best to play as hard as I have trained. My goal is to win."