'2-win champ' Park Minji "2 consecutive wins GO~"... Jang Hana and Kim Jihyun "We also aim for 2 wins"

Doosan Match Play Day 2: In Ju-yeon Leads by 3 Holes for 2nd Win, Park Hyun-kyung and Kwak Bo-mi Also Secure Victories, Choi Hye-jin Records 1 Win 1 Loss

Park Min-ji is hitting an iron shot on the 2nd hole of the second day of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Two-time champion’ Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) is on a smooth path to her second consecutive win.

On the 20th, at the Radenna Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,333 yards), she defeated In Ju-hyun (24, Samchully) by 3 holes on the second day of the preliminary round of the KLPGA Tour Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW). This marks her second win after a 4-hole victory over Hong Ran (35, Samchully) the previous day. On the third day, she will face Jeon Woo-ri (24, DB Insurance) in the final preliminary match. Similar to the World Cup in soccer, the tournament is divided into 16 groups, with the winner of each group advancing to the round of 16.

Park Min-ji took the lead with a birdie on the 5th hole (par 4) and secured her advantage by winning consecutive holes 9 and 10. She then steadily halved the remaining holes, concluding the match on the 16th hole (par 3). Having already secured her second win of the season early last month at the Nexen Saintnine Masters and last week at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, she currently leads the prize money ranking with 286 million KRW. With another win in this tournament, she has gained a favorable position to advance to the round of 16.

Jang Hana is reading the green on the 2nd hole on the second day of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

"It was physically tough, but I’m pleased to have scored under par two days in a row," said Park Min-ji. "The green speed is very fast, so avoiding downhill putts is key," she added. "Since I must win tomorrow to advance to the round of 16, I will focus as if it’s the first match." The 2013 champion Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) defeated Kim Ri-an (22, Korea Land & Trust) by 3 holes. Both have two wins and are competing for first place in their group along with Jo Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction).

Defending champion Kim Ji-hyun (30, Hanwha Q CELLS) also secured her second win by narrowly defeating recommended player Gong Ga-yeon (21) by 2 holes. Other players with two wins include KLPGA Championship champion Park Hyun-kyung (22, Korea Land & Trust), ‘Kyochon champion’ Kwak Bo-mi (29, High1 Resort), and Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction). Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), who was defeated by Seo Yeon-jung (26, Yojin Construction) the previous day, won against Jang Soo-yeon (27, Dongbu Construction) by 2 holes. This group is in a tight race with four players holding a 1-1 record.

Kim Ji-hyun is making a chip shot on the 13th hole on the second day of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

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