Park In-bi vs Kim Se-young "Supreme Showdown at US Women's Open"

Clash of Pride in Season's Final Major: 'Jjanmul Putting' Park Inbi Leading Prize Money vs 'Long Drive' Kim Seyoung Leading Player of the Year

'Prize Money Leader' Park In-bee challenges for her third career victory at the final major of the 2020 LPGA Tour season, the US Women's Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'The ultimate showdown.'

'Golf queen' Park In-bee (32, KB Financial Group) and 'Major queen' Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset) are set to clash. On the night of the 10th (Korean time), at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas (par 71, 6,682 yards), the US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million) of the LPGA Tour will take place. This tournament is the final major of the 2020 season, with a winner's prize of a whopping $1 million (approximately 1.08 billion KRW). The 'national title of the United States' directly leads to multiple championship titles.

▲ 'Living legend' vs 'Rising star' = Park In-bee has accumulated 20 career wins, including 7 majors. Notably, by winning the 2015 British Women's Open, she completed the 'Career Grand Slam' by collecting all four different major championship trophies. She also set new milestones by achieving the 'Career Golden Slam' with a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the youngest inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame (27 years, 10 months, 28 days). She aims for a consecutive Olympic gold at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Kim Se-young is also a representative golfer of Korea. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2015, winning 3 tournaments in her rookie year and earning Rookie of the Year honors. This year, she succeeded in a major on her 29th attempt at the KPMG Women's Championship in October. Last month, she won the Pelican Women's Championship, marking her second win of the season and 12th career victory. She ranks third among Korean players in total wins, following Park Se-ri (43, retired, 25 wins) and Park In-bee (20 wins), becoming the de facto ace.

▲ 'Top in earnings' vs 'Player of the Year' = Park In-bee has competed in 11 tournaments this year, achieving 7 top-10 finishes including 1 win. She added two consecutive runner-up finishes, including a tie for 2nd at the Volunteers of America Classic last week, maintaining her lead as the top money earner ($1,187,229) despite the chaotic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She ranks 2nd in Player of the Year (102 points) and CME Globe Race (1910 points), and 5th in scoring average (69.76 strokes).

'Player of the Year and No. 1 in scoring average' Kim Se-young aims for back-to-back major wins at the US Women's Open, the 'National Title of the United States.'

Kim Se-young's performance is also remarkable. Having played only 7 tournaments, she leads in Player of the Year (106 points) and scoring average (68.11 strokes), ranks 2nd in earnings ($1,133,219), and 3rd in the CME Globe Race (1554 points). Due to the impact of COVID-19, she stayed in Korea but returned after 7 months at the Arkansas Championship in August, finishing tied for 5th. She has been unstoppable, winning the last two consecutive tournaments. To aim for back-to-back major wins, she took a rest last week to adjust her condition.

▲ 'Precise putting' vs 'Powerful long drives' = Park In-bee's strength lies in the accuracy of her tee shots, with a fairway hit rate of 82% (4th). Her green play is outstanding as well. She ranks 2nd in average putts per round this year (28.84) and 3rd in putts per hole when hitting the green (1.75). Playing a tournament in the same area last week helped her adapt to the course and cold weather, which is a plus. She said, "I think my condition at the US Women's Open will be similar to last week. I am looking forward to the tournament as I have practiced well."

Kim Se-young's average driving distance this year is 265.19 yards (14th). Her pattern is to hit long tee shots followed by short irons for approach shots. Her fairway hit rate is 47th (75.74%), but she proudly ranks 1st in greens in regulation (78.40%). Her average putts per round is 23rd (29.56), which is decent. Especially, she ranks 1st in putts per hole when hitting the green (1.73), showing excellent clutch putting ability. The course length for this tournament is 6,682 yards, favoring long hitters in this fierce battleground.

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