Anna Rin "Two Wins in a Row~"... Choi Hye-jin "Award Confirmed"

Hana Financial Group Championship Final Day 1-Under Par Daily Best '3-Stroke Victory', Jang Hana 2nd, Lee Dayeon 3rd

Anna Lin is cheering the moment she secured her victory on the final day of the Hana Financial Group Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Two wins in a row."

In her fourth year on tour, Anna Lin (24, Munyoung Group) made a stunning victory by winning the Hana Financial Group Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW), the largest prize money event on the Korean LPGA (KLPGA) Tour. On the final day of the Hana Financial Group Championship held on the 8th at Sky72 Golf Club Ocean Course (par 72, 6,474 yards) in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, she lowered her score by one stroke to secure a commanding 3-stroke victory (8 under par 280). The winner's prize money is an impressive 300 million KRW.

Anna Lin earned her first victory last month on the 11th at the Otek Carrier event. It is noteworthy that she had never ranked in the top 30 in either the money rankings or average score over the past three years. Her story of '92 attempts and 93rd success' drew even more spotlight. She explained, "My iron shot distance was inconsistent, making it difficult to reach the green in regulation," adding, "Recently, correcting my backswing has greatly improved my consistency." In fact, her greens in regulation rate soared from 66.81% (81st) last year to 76.78% (24th) this year.

Starting the day tied for the lead, she again delivered 83.33% 'pinpoint iron shots,' recording two birdies and one bogey. Anna Lin's 1-under par round was the daily best. Early birdies on the 2nd hole (par 4) and 9th hole (par 4) helped her pull ahead in the competition against Jang Hana (28, BC Card). The late bogey with three putts on the 17th hole (par 3) did not affect her victory. She expressed confidence, saying, "I want to win again at the final event next week."

It is interesting that defending champion Jang Hana lost two strokes and fell to second place (5 under par 283). She struggled with iron shots in strong winds. She recorded four birdies, four bogeys, and suffered a critical double bogey on the 17th hole (par 3). Adding the runner-up prize money of 175 million KRW, she is now third in the money rankings (562 million KRW) and still has a chance to challenge for the money queen title at the final event. Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal) and Park Min-ji (22, NH Investment & Securities) are tied for third place (2 under par 286).

Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) finished tied for 17th place (5 over par 293) but secured the season-long MVP award. Currently ranked first with 429 points, second place Kim Hyo-joo (25, Lotte, 337 points) tied for 11th (2 over par 290) failed to add points, making a comeback impossible. It is a mystery that last year's five-time winner has not won any titles this season. She consistently accumulated points by finishing in the top 10 thirteen times in fourteen tournaments. She said, "I am disappointed not to have won yet," and is targeting the final event.

Anna Lin is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the Hana Financial Group Championship.

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