'2-Win March' Park Hyun-kyung "Only One Day Left~"... Lim Hee-jung's 'Revenge Match'

On the Second Day of IS Dongseo Busan Open, Im Hee-jeong Shares the Lead, Set to Clash in the Champion Group on the 13th

Park Hyun-kyung is putting on the 18th hole on the second day of the IS Dongseo Busan Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land Trust) is on a 'march to her 2nd victory.'

On the 12th, at Stonegate Golf Club in Gijang-gun, Busan (par 72, 6,491 yards), during the 2nd round of the KLPGA Tour IS Dongseo Busan Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW), she shot 6 under par to rise to a tie for first place (13 under par, 131 strokes). The first round was canceled due to severe weather, extending the tournament by a day, with the final 3rd round continuing on the 13th. Lim Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q CELLS) is waiting for a final showdown tied for the lead.

Park Hyun-kyung won the first major of the 2020 season, the KLPGA Championship (total prize money 3 billion KRW), in May. This victory held special significance as the first professional golf tour win worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a player who has walked a 'flower path,' having served as a national representative from 2014 to 2016. After winning the team event at the 2016 World Amateur Golf Championship, she earned full KLPGA membership and quickly secured her tour card by ranking 7th on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour money list in 2018.

Last year, she successfully made a smooth landing by entering the 'top 10' nine times in 27 tournaments, finishing 23rd in the money rankings (310 million KRW). It is rather surprising that Park Hyun-kyung had no 'top 10' finishes in the six tournaments following the KLPGA Championship. She admitted, "I made many mistakes due to failure in managing my condition." However, this time she is showing great form, shooting 7 under par on the first day and collecting six birdies today. She added with confidence, "I perform well on rainy days."

Lim Hee-jung also made five birdies and maintained 'no bogey play' for the second day. She is the protagonist who opened the '2000-born era' by winning three titles last year: the High1 Resort Ladies Open in August, the All For You-Renoma Championship in September, and the fifth major KB Financial Star Championship in October. Motivated by a rematch after losing to Park Hyun-kyung, who overtook her from a 3-stroke lead on the final day of the KLPGA Championship, she said, "I will play as aggressively as possible tomorrow," showing her fighting spirit.

Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) is in 3rd place (11 under par, 133 strokes), and Kang Ji-sun (24, Samchully) is in 4th place (9 under par, 135 strokes). 'Money leader' Lee So-young (23, Lotte) is watching for an opportunity tied for 6th place (7 under par, 137 strokes) along with Kim Se-young (27). Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte) added two penalty strokes late due to an 'out-of-bounds play' in the bunker on the 5th hole (par 5) of the first round but rallied with 6 under par to climb to a tie for 33rd place (3 under par, 141 strokes).

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