Ko Jin-young vs Kim Se-young "Clash of the Strongest Pride"... Sorensen and Zheng Yani 'Ready to Compete'

In the 2021 Season Second Match at Gainbridge LPGA, 'Number 1' Competition Heats Up with Korea's Lee Jeong-eun 6, Park Sung-hyun, and Jeon In-ji Joining

Ko Jin-young has started to solidify her position as 'Number 1' at the Gainbridge LPGA.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a clash of pride between world No.1 Ko Jin-young (26) and No.2 Kim Se-young (28, Mirae Asset).

On the night of the 25th (Korean time), the Gainbridge LPGA (total prize money $2 million) of the US Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour will be held at the Lake Nona Golf Club (par 72, 6,701 yards) in Orlando, Florida, USA. This is the second event of the 2021 season following last month’s opening Diamond Resort Tournament. 120 players will compete over four days in stroke play to determine the winner. ‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group), Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), and Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) have chosen to rest.

Ko Jin-young has been the dominant force holding the top spot for 1 year and 7 months since July 2019. She debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2018 after winning the KEB Hana Bank Championship in 2017 as a non-member, and claimed the title at the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open in 2018, securing the Rookie of the Year award. 2019 was her prime year, sweeping 4 wins including 2 majors, and earning Player of the Year, the Annika Major Award, the Vare Trophy, and the money title.

Last year, due to COVID-19, she stayed in Korea and returned late in November, but still showed her strength by winning the money title for the second consecutive year despite playing only four tournaments including a runner-up finish at the US Women’s Open and a victory at the CME Group Tour Championship. She took a short break and trained domestically, especially refining her fitness and swing for two weeks in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do. She crossed over to the US on the 17th and is currently undergoing adaptation training. She said, "I will focus to achieve good results."

Se-young Kim challenges for her first win of the 2021 season at the Gainbridge LPGA.

Kim Se-young, with a total of 12 wins, is a strong favorite for the title. Last year, she won her first major at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and recorded two wins, earning Player of the Year honors. During the off-season, she worked hard on building basic fitness at a fitness center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. She is determined to erase the disappointment of finishing 5th in this tournament last year. She said, "My goals this year are to become world No.1 and win an Olympic medal," adding, "I will focus from the start."

Korea’s lineup also includes Lee Jeong-eun6 (25, Daebang Construction), Park Sung-hyun (28), Hur Mi-jung (32, Daebang Construction), Yang Hee-young (32, Woori Financial Group), and Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group). Jessica Korda (USA) is dreaming of back-to-back wins following the Diamond Resort Tournament. Top players such as Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, Danielle Kang (all USA), and Brooke Henderson (Canada) are all participating. Madeleine Saxstrom (Sweden) is aiming for her second consecutive win.

‘Former golf queen’ Annika Sorenstam will participate in an official tournament at the Gainbridge LPGA for the first time in 12 years and 3 months.

The appearance of ‘former golf empress’ Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) is a hot topic off the course. It is her first official tournament appearance in exactly 12 years and 3 months since the ADT Championship in November 2008. She is participating in the Diamond Resort Champions Tournament not as a player but as a celebrity guest. She said, "I am happy to participate in the tournament," adding, "I have no desire for results; I just want to take on the challenge." World No.1 Jin Young Ko (Taiwan) will also make an appearance.

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