Inbee Park "After Jeju, Off to Scotland"... Hyun-Kyung Park's March to 3rd Victory

Jeju Samdasoo Masters "Host Launch", World Stars Including Ko Jin-young, Kim Hyo-joo, Yoo So-yeon Gather, Yoo Hae-ran Defends Title

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'Golf Queen' Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group, photo) is making a comeback.

She has declared her participation in the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 800 million won), which opens on the 30th at Saint Four Golf Resort in Jeju City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,500 yards). This marks her return after a long five months since her 20th career victory at the LPGA Tour Australian Women's Open in February. World stars such as world No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25), Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte), and Yoo So-yeon (30, Mediheal) will all gather to stage a 'battle of the stars.'

Park In-bee expressed regret that the LPGA Tour was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic right after her win. She still leads the prize money ranking with $330,000. During this time, she stayed in Korea, balancing rest and training. She plans to return to the LPGA Tour through the first major of the 2020 season, the AIG Women's Open (total prize money $4.5 million), held in Scotland on the 20th of next month. For now, fine-tuning her competitive shot skills is urgent.

Kim Hyo-joo won the Lotte Cantata Women's Open in June, and Yoo So-yeon claimed the Korean Women's Open, intensifying the competition among overseas players. Kim Hyo-joo, in particular, has entered the 'top 5' three times, including one win in five tournaments, ranking third in KLPGA Tour prize money with 330 million won. Above all, her consistency is powerful, recording the lowest average score (68.59). Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction) has joined the fray, while Lee Bo-mi (32) and Bae Sun-woo (26, Samchully) are also eyeing opportunities.

The 'domestic players' are led by Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Trust, photo). She has already succeeded in winning two titles early this year, including the KLPGA Championship in May and the IS Dongseo Busan Open last month, rising to first place in prize money with 450 million won and gaining momentum. The IS Dongseo Busan Open is a rematch against Lim Hee-jung (20, Hanwha Q CELLS), who lost in a sudden death playoff over three holes. Lee So-young (23, Lotte), ranked second in prize money, aims to sweep individual titles following her 'Order of Merit' first place.

Defending champion Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) has emerged as a dark horse. Last year, she made a surprise victory as an invited player on this 'promised land.' The course moved from Ora Golf Course, where she won four times as an amateur, to Saint Four, and the tournament has been extended to four rounds, which adds variables. Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) has nowhere to retreat. She was crowned 'quadruple champion' last year with five wins but has yet to secure a victory this year, causing frustration.

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