Overseas Player Choi Hye-jin Challenges 2 Consecutive Wins
Domestic Player Park Hyun-kyung Achieves 3 Consecutive Wins
Yoo Yi-na's First Victory Since Return
There is an abundance of attractions.
From the 4th for four days, the Lotte Open of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour will kick off at Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Seo-gu, Incheon, on the USA-Australasia Course (par 72, 6,655 yards). This year, 132 players will participate. The total prize money has been increased by 400 million won from last year's 800 million won to 1.2 billion won. Competitors will vie for the winner's prize of 216 million won.
Choi Hye-jin, who plays on the US circuit, will make her first domestic tournament appearance this year. She is a strong player with a total of 11 KLPGA Tour wins, including two victories as an amateur. She won the Lotte Open last year, returning to the top of the domestic stage after 2 years and 7 months. Entering as the defending champion, she aims for back-to-back titles.
Choi Hye-jin is pleased with Bears Best Golf Club, where the tournament is held. She finished 3rd in 2021. In September last year, she tied for 14th at the Hana Financial Group Championship held on the same course. Choi said, "I am preparing for the tournament with a comfortable mind in a familiar environment after a long time. My condition is improving quickly."
‘Domestic No. 1’ Park Hyun-kyung is challenging for her third consecutive win. She has been on an upswing this season with three wins, including two consecutive victories in the past two weeks. She leads in both the points for the Player of the Year and prize money categories. Park said, "I have never performed well on flat courses like Bears Best," but added, "With my current shot feel, I am confident I can do well on any course, so I want to overcome my past poor results."
Yoon Ina is also expecting her first win since returning from suspension. She has participated in 12 tournaments this year, entering the top 10 five times, including two runner-up finishes. On the 28th of last month, she withdrew during the first round of the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open due to shoulder pain. She has recovered and will compete normally in this tournament. Overseas players Kim Hyo-joo, three-time champion Lee Ye-won, Park Ji-young, and Park Min-ji have also entered the field.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
