Park In-bi "Season 2nd Win Launch"... Thompson 'Title Defense'

Night of the 1st Opening ShopRite Classic, 'ANA Champ' Im I-rim Competes with Kim Se-young and Park Sung-hyun for Victory

Inbee Park has set out to secure her second victory at the ShopRite Classic.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Golf Queen' Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) is aiming for her second victory.

The ShopRite Classic of the LPGA Tour (total prize money $2 million), which kicks off on the 1st (Korean time) at the Seaview Course in Galloway, New Jersey, USA (par 71, 6,217 yards), is a fierce battleground. The tournament is held after a one-week break. Park In-bee is a player who has won a total of 20 victories, including 7 major titles. She has collected all four major championship trophies to achieve the 'Career Grand Slam' and became the first 'Career Golden Slammer' in history with her gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

This year, she secured her first win early at the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in February, and after the tour was interrupted due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), she returned last month at the major AIG Women's Open after a six-month hiatus. Since returning to the field, she has shown a clear upward trend by finishing in the 'Top 10' three times in four tournaments. She also tied for 5th place at the Portland Classic, which ended on the 21st. This is her fifth 'Top 10' finish this year.

Most notably, her flawless play with six birdies on the final day of the Portland Classic is encouraging. She ranks first this season in average putts per round (28.37). If her 'needle-like iron shots' come back to form, she is in a position to comfortably reach her second victory. Currently, she is 2nd in prize money ($677,951), 2nd in Player of the Year points (66 points), 2nd in the CME Globe Race (1,235 points), 1st in 'Top 10' finishes, and 5th in scoring average (69.89 strokes). Her world ranking has also risen to 9th, putting her on course for the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Defending champion Lexi Thompson (USA) is a strong favorite to win. Last year, she completed a dramatic come-from-behind victory (12-under 201) by finishing the last three holes on the final day with birdie-par-eagle. 'Portland Champion' Georgia Hall (England) is aiming for her second consecutive win. Korea's Park Sung-hyun (27), Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset), and 'ANA Champion' Lee Mi-rim (NH Investment & Securities) have entered the field. 2017 champion Kim In-kyung (32, Hanwha Q CELLS) and last year's joint 11th place Yang Hee-young (31, Woori Financial Group) are also participating.

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