USA "LPGA Tour 2021 Season Dominance"... What Is Korea's Counterattack?

Corda Sisters and Ernst "Sweep 3 Tournaments", Jeon In-ji's 3 Consecutive 'Top 10', 'Golf Queen' Park In-bi's Kia Classic Debut on 25th

Jessica (left) and Nelly Korda sisters are creating a sensation in the United States on the LPGA Tour in the early part of this year.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "The United States' overwhelming dominance."

This is the early trend of the 2021 season of the U.S. Women's Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour. American players have taken all three tournaments. It is remarkable compared to the past 14 years since 2007 when the opening three consecutive tournaments were won, during which time Korea, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia had dominated. Jessica Korda opened the season with a victory at the January Diamond Resort Tournament, and Nelly Korda secured a commanding 3-stroke win at the Gainbridge LPGA on the 1st.

The Korda sisters notably achieved the second-ever 'sisters consecutive wins' record since Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam (Sweden) in March 2000. On the 8th, the American momentum continued at the Drive On Championship, where Austin Ernst maintained the top of the leaderboard for four days to claim a 5-stroke victory. The runner-up positions in all three tournaments were also claimed by Americans. The 'Top 10' included 7 Americans in the first tournament, 5 in the second, and 8 in the third.

Although it is still early in the season, Americans are sweeping the top five spots in both prize money and the CME Group Race standings. World No. 3 Nelly leads in prize money, scoring average, CME Group Race, and Player of the Year categories. Above all, the depth of the player pool is a strength. The Korda sisters are competing for wins in every tournament. Joining them are Austin Ernst, Jennifer Kupcho, Jenny Coleman, and Cheyenne Knight.

Traditional powerhouses such as World No. 5 Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, and Stacy Lewis are also backing them up. The early strong winds from the U.S. could turn into a typhoon. On the other hand, Korea has had a somewhat sluggish start. World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (26) and No. 2 Kim Sei-young (28, Mirae Asset) participated but their performances were below expectations. Ko Jin-young performed well with a 4th place at the Gainbridge LPGA but suffered the humiliation of missing the cut at the Drive On Championship.

Jeon Ji-in (27, KB Financial Group) has been a consolation by finishing in the 'Top 10' in three consecutive tournaments, emerging from a slump. Korea aims for a turnaround at the Kia Classic held on the 25th at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California, USA. It is the 'promised land' where Seo Hee-kyung (35, retired) won in 2010, Lee Mi-rim (31, NH Investment & Securities) in 2017, and Ji Eun-hee (35, Hanwha Q CELLS) in 2018. The 'Golf Empress' Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) will make her first appearance.

'Golf Empress' Park In-bee will make her first appearance at the Kia Classic on the 25th, showcasing 'Korean Power.'

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