Choi Hye-jin "Hungry for Victory~"... Clash with World No.1 Ko Jin-young

'National Title' Rechallenge for the Top at Korean Women's Open, Lee Da-yeon 'Title Defense', Overseas Players Including Yoo So-yeon and Kim Hyo-joo Join

Choi Hye-jin challenges for a major victory at the Korea Women's Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "This time, the goal is not to be number one, but to win."

It is the determined declaration of Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte), the 'No. 1 in Korea.' The Kia Motors Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) kicks off on the 18th at Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon (par 72). The starting point is the deep regret from the S-Oil Championship that ended on the 15th in Jeju. She surged to the lead with 8 under par on the first day, and despite severe weather on the second day, added 3 under par over 9 holes to approach defending her title in a tie for second place, just one stroke behind.

However, the remaining matches of the second round were repeatedly postponed due to thick fog and eventually canceled, resulting in the tournament being concluded after the first round and not officially recognized. This is why Choi Hye-jin remained 'number one but not the winner.' She also received only 75% of the prize money, 94.5 million KRW. Choi Hye-jin confessed, "My condition was good, so my expectations were high, but it ended so disappointingly." Although the 'fog variable' caused her first win of the season to slip away, she took consolation in showcasing her peak shot form.

This tournament is even more significant as a 'national title.' Choi Hye-jin placed 4th in 2017, 8th in 2018, and 47th last year. She revealed her hunter instinct, saying, "I have participated every year since I was an amateur in 2013," and "This is a stage where I want to win as soon as possible." She added her determination, "The course difficulty is very high, so I will prepare thoroughly." Due to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, the event will still be held as a 'no-audience competition.'

Defending champion Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal) is aiming for a 'second consecutive win.' She recalls the thrilling memory of making 2 under par on the final day last year to complete a '5-stroke comeback show.' 'KLPGA Championship champ' Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Trust) and 'E1 Charity Open champ' Lee So-young (23, both Lotte) are already competing for their second wins. For Lee So-young, it is especially an opportunity to erase the humiliation of losing the lead by 5 strokes on the last day after leading by one stroke.

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25) is making her second appearance following a 45th place finish at the Lotte Cantata Women's Open on the 7th. Another news is the first domestic appearance of former No. 1 Yoo So-yeon (30, Mediheal). The overseas players are fully assembled, including Lotte Cantata Women's Open champ Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), Lee Jeong-eun 6, Ji Eun-hee (34, Hanwha Q Cells), Lee Bo-mi (32), Lee Min-young (28, Hanwha Q Cells), Bae Seon-woo (26), 2007 champ Ahn Sun-ju (33), and 2012 champ Lee Mi-rim (30, NH Investment & Securities).

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young will compete in the Korea Women's Open.

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