'Autumn Queen' Jang Hana: "This Time, Title Defense"... What About 'Number 1' Ko Jin-young?

Challenging for 2 Consecutive Wins at Hana Financial Group Championship: Ko Jin-young, Kim Hyo-joo, Choi Hye-jin, Park Hyun-kyung and Others Declare 'Victory Ambitions'

Jang Hana challenges for her second consecutive win at the Hana Financial Group Championship.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Jang Hana (28, BC Card) is the "Queen of Autumn."

She often says, "I gain strength as the heat fades and the cold wind blows." In fact, last October, she swept two wins at the KLPGA Tour Hana Financial Group Championship and BMW Ladies Championship, showing a particularly strong performance in autumn. This year as well, she secured her first win of the season at the SK Networks-Seoul Economic Ladies Classic held on the 1st at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Out of her 13 total KLPGA Tour wins, a remarkable 7 came between September and November.

Jang Hana is known for her consistent play. Since debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2012, she has won at least one tournament every year. From 2015 to 2017, she collected LPGA Tour trophies in the U.S., marking nine consecutive years of victories. Among active KLPGA Tour players, she holds the most wins and ranks first in total prize money earned (4.516 billion KRW). This season, she has energized fans with 8 top-10 finishes, including one win, across 14 tournaments.

The next battleground is the Hana Financial Group Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW), opening on the 5th at Sky72 Golf Club Ocean Course (par 72, 6,474 yards) in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. Attention should be paid to her last-hole birdie on the 18th hole (par 5) during the final day last year, which secured a one-stroke come-from-behind victory. Currently ranked 7th in prize money (386.99 million KRW), the 300 million KRW winner's prize is a direct motivation to close in on first place Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte, 713.19 million KRW). She expressed her fighting spirit, saying, "I will do my best."

Ko Jin-young aims for her first win of the season at the Hana Financial Group Championship.

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25) is another strong contender. She entered the competition three weeks after finishing runner-up at the major KB Financial Star Championship on the 18th of last month. This year, due to the impact of COVID-19, she is competing domestically instead of on the LPGA Tour. She has participated in five KLPGA Tour events, consistently finishing in the top 10 three times. She vowed to "wipe away the regret of last year's tie for 4th place."

Prize money and scoring average leader Kim Hyo-joo is aiming for her third win. She secured two victories in June at the Lotte Cantata Ladies Open and KB Financial Star Championship, and finished runner-up at the SK Networks-Seoul Economic Ladies Classic, showing excellent competitive form. Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte), currently first in the season-long points race, is attempting to win her first title again. It is interesting that last year's five-time champion has yet to claim a trophy this season. Champion groups including Park Hyun-kyung (20, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), Yoo So-yeon (30, Mediheal), and Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) have all gathered for the event.

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