[Golf Topic] JLPGA "Earth Mondamin Cup Opens Tomorrow"... Defending Champ Shin Ji-ae 'Absent'

Shin Ji-ae is raising both arms after winning the Earth Mondamin Cup last year. She will not participate this year due to COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour is finally kicking off amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 24th, JLPGA announced that the first tournament of the 2020/2021 season, the Earth Mondahmin Cup (prize money of 240 million yen), will be held for four days starting from the 25th at Camellia Hills Golf Club (par 72, approximately 6,622 yards) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the tournament will be held without spectators, similar to the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour and the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour, which have already started their seasons. The JLPGA Tour has decided to combine the 2020 and 2021 tournaments into a single season.

The Earth Mondahmin Cup offers the largest prize money among JLPGA Tour events. Many Japanese players will participate, including Ai Suzuki, last year's money leader, and Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 Women's British Open champion. However, due to entry restrictions related to the COVID-19 situation, many Korean players will not participate. Defending champion Shin Ji-ae (32), Lee Min-young (28, Hanwha Q CELLS), Bae Seon-woo (26), and Lee Bo-mi (32) are among those absent. Only Lee Ji-hee (41) and Lee Ha-na (19) will compete.

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