Jungmin Hong Takes Five-Shot Lead... "Major Queen in Sight"

Jungmin Hong Surges to 7-Under in KLPGA Championship Round 3
Eyes Second Tour Victory Since 2022 Doosan Match Play
Park Hyunkyung in Second, Park Jiyeong Third, Bang Shinsil in Sixth in Pursuit

Jungmin Hong has secured a favorable position in her quest to become the major queen.

On May 3, at Lakewood Country Club (par 72, 6,605 yards) in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Jungmin Hong shot a 7-under-par 65 in the third round of the 47th KLPGA Championship by Chris F&C, the first major tournament of the 2025 KLPGA Tour season, which has a total prize fund of 1.3 billion won. She surged to the top of the leaderboard with a five-shot lead at 14-under-par 202. This has raised hopes for her second tour victory in three years, since her last win at the Doosan Match Play Championship in May 2022.

Jungmin Hong is teeing off at the 12th hole of the 3rd round of the 47th KLPGA Championship by Chris F&C. KLPGA

Jungmin Hong started the round as co-leader by one shot and collected eight birdies with just one bogey. She made an approximately 11-meter birdie putt at the 13th hole (par 4), and although she recorded her only bogey at the 14th hole (par 4), she immediately bounced back by sinking a mid-range putt of over six meters at the 15th hole (par 5). So far this season, she has played in five tournaments, with her best result being a runner-up finish at the Doosan Engineering & Construction We’ve Championship last month.

Park Hyunkyung, who was aiming for her third career victory at this tournament, carded three birdies and one bogey. She is currently in second place at 9-under-par 207 and is hoping to stage a comeback. Only three players have won this tournament three times: Ko Woosoon (four wins), Koo Okhee, and Kim Soonmi (each with three wins). Park Jiyeong, Ma Dasom, and Kim Minsol are tied for third at 8-under-par 208. Bang Shinsil is in sixth place at 7-under-par 209, while Hwang Yumin is tied for seventh at 6-under-par 210, and Lee Dongeun is tied for ninth at 5-under-par 211.