So-Young Lee, Hyun-Kyung Park, and Da-Yeon Lee 'Jeju Duel'... "Who will get 2 wins first?"

At the Lotte Cantata Women's Open, "Title No.1 Battle" as Ko Jin-young and Lee Jeong-eun 6 Join Overseas Players

So-Young Lee, Hyun-Kyung Park, and Da-Yeon Lee (from left) compete in a 'two-win race' at the Lotte Cantata Women's Open.

[Jeju=Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Who will get the second win first?"

It is the 'Jeju Duel' among Lee So-young (23, Lotte), Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), and Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal). They will compete for the 'first to two wins' at the KLPGA Tour Lotte Cantata Women's Open (total prize money 800 million KRW), which opens on the 4th at Lotte Skyhill Golf Club Sky & Ocean Course (par 72, 6,373 yards) in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island. The competition for individual titles such as prize money, points ranking for the grand prize, and lowest average score is also heating up.

The first point of interest is Lee So-young's 'march to two consecutive wins.' She is riding a wave of momentum after winning the E1 Charity Open that ended on the 31st. It was her fifth career win, her first in 1 year and 8 months since the All For You Championship in September 2018, and she achieved her first-ever 'wire-to-wire' victory by leading from the first day. Having succeeded in overcoming last year's three runner-up finishes, she gained confidence, and this time she has added motivation with a 'sponsor tournament win.'

Lee So-young currently holds first place in prize money (253.7 million KRW), grand prize points (134 points), and average score (68.64 strokes). She has maintained consistency by entering the 'top 5' three times, including one win at the Hyosung Championship in December last year, which is included in the 2020 season, and a tie for 4th place at the KLPGA Championship that ended on the 17th. Above all, her 'pinpoint iron shots' with a green hit rate of 80.81% (8th place) are powerful. She revealed her hunter instinct, saying, "My shot sense is good enough to aim for first place in the grand prize."

'Korea's No. 1' Choi Hye-jin challenges for her first win of the season at the Lotte Cantata Women's Open.

Park Hyun-kyung is second in prize money (226 million KRW), and Lim Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q CELLS) is second in grand prize points (115 points). Park Hyun-kyung notably earned the distinction of being the first winner on a global professional golf tour after the COVID-19 pandemic by winning the KLPGA Championship on the 17th of last month. Her 'cut off' at the E1 Charity Open was rather unexpected. Lee Da-yeon, who secured an early win at the Hyosung Championship included in the 2020 season last December, has emerged as another 'two-win candidate.'

Kim Bo-ah (25) is defending her title. This year, instead of a pro-am, the tournament expanded from 3 rounds to 4 rounds, increasing the total prize money by 200 million KRW. The winner's prize of 160 million KRW, a Lotte Skyhill honorary membership, a watch worth about 30 million KRW, and a ticket to the 2021 LPGA Tour Lotte Championship in the United States are substantial rewards. 'Domestic number one' Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) has joined the competition for the win, and Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks), who finished second at the E1 Charity Open, is dreaming of revenge.

The participation of 'overseas players' is a variable. The glamorous lineup includes world No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25), 'LPGA Rookie of the Year' Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction), Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), Ji Eun-hee (33, Hanwha Q CELLS), and Choi Na-yeon (33, Daebang Construction). Choi Na-yeon created off-course buzz as her 'close friend' Lee Jeong-eun 5 (32) served as her caddie. The organizers have again focused thoroughly on 'COVID-19' prevention measures. They will implement a 'no audience' policy, install thermal cameras, disinfect equipment, and enforce a 2-meter social distancing rule.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.