Yoo Yina, 8 Birdies Only... 'Winning Atmosphere Ripens'

Lotte Open Day One: Choi Min-kyung Ties for Lead
Strong Performance with Two Runner-up Finishes in 12 Tournaments This Year
"Made Good Shots on a Favorite Course"

The atmosphere has ripened.

Yoo In-na is making an iron shot on the 14th hole of the first round at the Lotte Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

This is Yoon Ina's first victory since her return. On the 4th, at the Incheon Bearsbest Cheongna Golf Club American-Australasian Course (par 72), during the first round of the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW), she swept up 8 birdies without a single bogey. She topped the leaderboard alongside Choi Min-kyung with 8-under 64. She led by one stroke over Bang Shin-sil, who is in third place with 7-under 65.

Yoon Ina has finished in the top 10 five times, including two runner-up finishes, in 12 tournaments this year since returning from a suspension. Last week, she withdrew from the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open due to shoulder pain. She completely dispelled concerns about lingering injury effects. Starting at the 10th hole (par 5), she opened the scoring with a birdie at the 12th hole (par 3), then demonstrated her ability to surge with four consecutive birdies from holes 15 to 18. In the back nine, she added three more birdies at holes 2, 6, and 9, promising a good second round.

Yoon Ina reflected, "After withdrawing due to a shoulder injury, I couldn't hit the ball at all for four days, but since this is a course I really like, I think good shots were made despite not being in good condition." Regarding the four consecutive birdies, she explained, "I didn't even realize I had four in a row. I was so focused on the game that I guess that's why."

About her runner-up finish at the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup, which ended on the 23rd of last month, she said, "I don't think I lost the championship. Park Hyun-kyung played well, and I did my best, but the results just didn't follow." She added, "By playing each game with a grateful heart, I think I was able to finish well today too." She then expressed her determination, saying, "Right now, my shots are somewhat comfortable. I will adjust well to pin positions, wind, and external factors, and strategize hole by hole according to the situation."