Kim Se-young 'Title Defense'... What About Park In-bi and Ko Jin-young?

by Roh Woolae

Published 16 Dec.2020 10:24(KST)

Challenging 2nd Consecutive Win at Final CME Group Championship, Park Inbi's Bid for Multiple Titles and Ko Jinyoung's Defense of 'Number 1'

Kim Se-young will challenge for her second consecutive victory at the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the 2020 season.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No. 2 Kim Se-young (27, Mirae Asset) has embarked on a quest for a 'second consecutive victory.'

The CME Group Tour Championship (total prize money $3 million), part of the LPGA Tour, is being held on the night of the 17th (Korean time) at Tiburon Golf Club (par 72, 6,556 yards) in Naples, Florida, USA. This tournament is also the final event of the 2020 season. Only the top 70 players in the CME Globe points standings participate, and the winner's prize is a whopping $1.1 million. It is interesting that the prize money rankings can shift dramatically depending on the results of this tournament. Top-ranked players can immediately become the 'money queen' by winning.

The main focus is Kim Se-young's challenge to sweep the individual titles. She debuted on the Korean LPGA (KLPGA) Tour in 2011, winning five times before joining the LPGA Tour in 2015. In her first year, she won three times and was crowned Rookie of the Year. This year, despite the global spread of COVID-19, she played only nine of the 17 tournaments but succeeded in winning a major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in October on her 28th attempt.

Including her first major win, this was her second victory of the season and her 12th career win. She ranks third among Korean players in total wins, following Park Se-ri (43, retired, 25 wins) and Park In-bi (32, KB Financial Group, 20 wins). Alongside Danielle Kang (USA), she reached two wins and five top-10 finishes, showcasing tremendous power. She leads in scoring average (68.677), ranks second in prize money ($1,207,438), and second in Player of the Year points (106). Following Ko Jin-young (25) last year, she is aiming to become the seventh Korean 'money queen' and the eighth to win the lowest scoring average award.

Kim Se-young recalls the thrilling memory of hitting the '1.5 million dollar jackpot' last year. She added 2-under par on the final day to win by one stroke (18-under 270), savoring the joy of a wire-to-wire victory, leading all four days. After a disappointing final round at last week's U.S. Women’s Open, where she made 35 putts and dropped to a tie for 20th, she is eager to change the atmosphere. She expressed her determination, saying, "I want to show a good performance in the final event."

'Prize Money and Player of the Year No.1' Park In-bi aims for multiple titles at the CME Group Tour Championship.

'Australian Women’s Open champion' Park In-bi is also aiming for multiple titles. She has shown remarkable consistency with eight top-10 finishes in 12 tournaments. Most notably, her precise tee shots and 'stingy putting' have returned, which is encouraging. She rose to a tie for 6th at the U.S. Women’s Open and is leading in prize money ($1,365,138), Player of the Year points (112), CME Globe points (2,035), and top-10 finish rate (67%). Her scoring average ranks third (69.927).

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young is a 'dark horse.' She secured a dramatic ticket to the final event by finishing tied for 2nd at the U.S. Women’s Open. Despite playing only three tournaments this year, she ranks 13th in prize money ($567,925). If she wins, she can become the 'money queen.' Korea’s lineup also includes 'ANA champion' Lee Mi-rim (30, NH Investment & Securities), 'Big Open champion' Park Hee-young (33, Isu Group), and Yoo So-yeon (30, Mediheal). Park Sung-hyun (27) fell outside the top 70 in CME Globe points and does not have a 'ticket' to the event.