Choi Hye-jin 'Title Defense'... Kim Ji-young2 Advances with "2 Consecutive Wins"

Choi Kyung-woo Aims for 3rd Win with 2 Consecutive Titles at McCol and Yongpyong Resort Open, Lee So-young and Park Chae-yoon 'All-Time Champions' Set to Compete

Choi Hye-jin aims for her second consecutive win at the McCol and Yongpyong Resort Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Going for a second consecutive win."

That is the bold goal of Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte), the 'No. 1 player in Korea.' The Maccol Yongpyeong Resort Open (total prize money 600 million KRW), part of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, kicks off on the 3rd at Birch Hill Golf Club in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,434 yards). A total of 132 players will compete over three days in a 54-hole stroke play format to determine the winner. Choi is putting in special effort, even skipping last week's BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup, to defend her title.

This tournament holds unforgettable memories for Choi. In 2017, as an amateur, she defeated the 'pro sisters' to claim her first victory (14 under par, 202 strokes) on this 'promised land.' Last year, she shot 3 under par on the final day to complete a two-stroke come-from-behind victory (10 under par, 206 strokes). A dominant player with a total of nine KLPGA Tour wins including two as an amateur, she especially swept five wins last year, earning six titles including most wins, prize money, Player of the Year, and lowest scoring average.

Although she has participated in six tournaments this season, she has yet to secure a win. She has entered the top 10 five times, including a third-place finish at the Kia Motors Korea Women's Open two weeks ago. The S-Oil Championship on the 14th of last month was cut short after the first round due to thick fog in Jeju, and was not officially recognized as a tournament, so she settled for 'first place' rather than a win. She is determined to "collect her third trophy at this event and claim her first victory of the season." Calling it a "place with good memories," she added, "I will focus more."

Kim Ji-young 2 challenges for 2 consecutive wins at the McCol and Yongpyong Resort Open.

Kim Ji-young 2 (24, SK Networks) aims for back-to-back wins. She was the protagonist who clinched the 'winning eagle' after a fierce battle extending to the second playoff hole against Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) at the BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup. This marked her second career win, coming three years and one month after her first at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies in May 2017. Most importantly, she has shed the label of 'runner-up specialist.' "I didn't realize winning would be this difficult," she said, "I will work hard to accumulate more victories in the remaining tournaments."

Lee So-young (23, Lotte) is a strong contender for the title. She won this tournament in 2016 and finished second last year, showing good compatibility with the course. She already secured a win at the E1 Charity Open in May and is currently leading the Player of the Year standings (191 points), second in prize money (296.93 million KRW), and second in scoring average (69.26 strokes). The 2018 champion Park Chae-yoon (26, Samchully) is a 'dark horse.' Overseas players such as LPGA Rookie of the Year Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction), Lee Bo-mi (32), and Yoon Chae-young (33) have also joined the field.

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