Ko Jin-young's Excitement with "7-Under Par Surge"... Yoo So-yeon and Lee Min-young at 6-Under Par

Korean Women's Open Day 1: Kim Seyoung Leads by 1 Stroke at 4 Under, Choi Hyejin at 3 Under, Kim Hyoju at 2 Under in 'Chase'

Ko Jin-young is teeing off at the 4th hole on the first day of the Korea Women's Open. Photo by Korea Women's Open

[Incheon=Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25) is on a winning streak.

On the 18th, at Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon (par 72, 6,929 yards), the 'National Title' Kia Motors Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) kicked off its grand journey. Ko Jin-young shot 7 under par on the first day, placing her at the top of the leaderboard. Overseas players Yoo So-yeon (30, Mediheal) and Lee Min-young (28, Hanwha Q CELLS) are tied for second place (6 under par, 66 strokes), while Sung Yu-jin (20, Hanwha Q CELLS) and Kim Ri-an (21) are tied for fourth place (5 under par, 67 strokes), chasing closely behind.

Ko Jin-young boasted a perfect play with seven birdies and no bogeys. She reduced four strokes in the front nine with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 5) and three consecutive birdies from the 5th to 7th holes, then added three more birdies on the 10th, 13th, and 16th holes in the back nine. Her 7 under par 65 ties the course record set by Park Joo-young (30, Dongbu Construction) in 2018 and Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal) last year. Leading by one stroke, she is poised for her 11th KLPGA Tour win, her first in eight months since the Hite Jinro Championship last October.

Yoo So-yeon is reading the green at the 3rd hole on the first day of the Korea Women's Open. Photo by Korea Women's Open

Yoo So-yeon and Lee Min-young are chasing the leader, each having reduced five strokes. Lee Min-young said, "My shots were very good, so I had many birdie opportunities," and added, "I want to keep pushing until Sunday. If possible, I hope to win." Five players including Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), Lim Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q CELLS), Oh Ji-hyun (24, KB Financial Group), Noh Seung-hee (19, Yojin Construction), and Kang Ye-rin (26, High1 Resort) are tied for sixth place (4 under par, 68 strokes), eyeing a comeback.

Domestic No. 1 Choi Hye-jin (21) and 'E1 Charity Open Champion' Lee So-young (23, both Lotte) started comfortably, tied for 11th place (3 under par, 69 strokes). 'Lotte Cantata Women's Open Champion' Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), Bae Sun-woo (26), and Cho Ah-yeon (20, Volvik) are tied for 15th place (2 under par, 70 strokes), while Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction) and Ji Eun-hee (34, Hanwha Q CELLS) are tied for 30th place (1 under par, 71 strokes). On the other hand, Lee Bo-mi (32) and Lee Da-yeon are tied for 71st place (1 over par, 73 strokes).

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