19-year-old Yu Hae-ran's 'Wire to Wire' 2 Consecutive Wins "I Want to Be a Memorable Player"

Jeju Samdasoo Masters: 3-Stroke Victory, Rookie Title Defense Success, Record Low 72-Hole Score, Leading Rookie of the Year Race

Yoo Hae-ran is celebrating with a water splash ceremony immediately after winning the final day of the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae Noh] 'Super Rookie' Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) achieved back-to-back victories with a 'wire-to-wire' win.

On the final day of the KLPGA Tour Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at Saint Four Golf Resort in Jeju City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,500 yards) on the 2nd, she added 4-under-par to complete a commanding 3-stroke victory (23-under-par 265). After a surprise win as an invited player at this tournament last August, this marks her second career win in one year, with a winner's prize of 160 million KRW. She maintained the top spot on the leaderboard for all four days, delivering a perfect victory.

Kim Ha-neul (32, Hite Jinro) matched the KLPGA Tour 72-hole lowest score record set at the 2013 MBN Kim Young-joo Women's Open. Yoo is the fourth rookie ever to achieve consecutive wins, following Kim Mi-hyun (43) in 1995 and 1996 Korean Women's Open, Park Se-ri (43) in 1995 and 1996 Seoul Women's Open, and Song Bo-bae (34) in 2003 and 2004 Korean Women's Open. She added 270 rookie points, extending her lead to first place in this category with 1,055 points. The gap with second place Jo Hye-rim (19, Lotte, 692 points) is 363 points.

Yoo Hae-ran is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning on the final day of the Jeju Samdasoo Masters. Photo by KLPGA

Starting the day with a 5-stroke lead, she recorded five birdies and one bogey. Although a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4) narrowed her lead to 2 strokes, consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes and another birdie on the 17th hole (par 4) sealed the victory. Last year, she caught a lucky break winning in a tournament shortened to 36 holes due to bad weather, but this year she showcased overwhelming skill, rising as a 'rising star.' She exclaimed, "I'm happy that playing comfortably and enjoying myself led to such a good result," and added, "It's an honor to defend the title as a rookie."

Yoo Hae-ran is a next-generation prospect who represented the national team for three years until 2018. As a middle school student in 2014, she secured associate membership early by winning the KLPGA President's Cup, and after winning a silver medal in the team event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, she turned professional in March the following year upon turning 18. Known as the 'Ora Princess' for sweeping four wins at Jeju Ora Golf Course during her amateur days, she has also secured two professional wins on Jeju, her 'winning turf.'

Her strength lies in her 'precise iron shots.' She proudly said, "My irons landed accurately in this tournament as well," and added, "I can comfortably hit from mid irons to long irons." She also stated, "My goal for the second half of the season is to pass the qualifiers in all tournaments," and expressed her desire to "become a player remembered by golf fans." Lee Jeong-eun 6 (24, Daebang Construction) shot 6-under-par but settled for runner-up (20-under-par 268). Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) tied for 15th place (11-under-par 277), and Ko Jin-young (25) tied for 20th place (10-under-par 278).

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