'Prize Money Leader' Park Minji Advances to Finals "This Time's Target is Match Queen"

Jihan Sol Defeats by 2 Holes in Doosan Match Play Championship Semifinals, Faces Park Jooyoung

Park Min-ji is teeing off on the 1st hole during the semifinal match of the Doosan Match Play Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "This time, challenging the Match Queen."

Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities), the top prize money earner, is already eyeing her third win of the 2021 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season. On the morning of the 23rd, at the Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at Radenna Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,333 yards), she defeated Ji Han-sol (25) by 2 holes in the semifinals to advance to the final. Following three wins in the preliminary rounds, she has now achieved an unstoppable six consecutive wins through the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals. She will face Park Joo-young (31, Dongbu Construction) in the final.

Park Min-ji gained momentum by making three consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 14. Her aggressive play was especially notable, as she collected seven birdies. After winning the Nexen Saint Nine Masters last month and the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship on the 16th, she has already secured two victories this season. In addition to multiple wins, she ranks first in prize money (286 million KRW) and third in the points race for the Player of the Year award (110 points), making a clean sweep of individual titles possible.

Park Joo-young secured her spot in the final after a playoff battle against Jung Yeon-joo (29, Daebang Construction). It was interesting that she was trailing by as many as four holes in the first nine holes but managed to tie the match in the last four holes. On the final 18th hole (par 5), she made a challenging 5-meter birdie putt, drawing even more spotlight. The match was decided on the first playoff hole resumed at the 10th hole (par 4) with a 'winning par.' Jung Yeon-joo's tee shot landed in a bunker, and she failed to escape on her second shot, ending her hopes.

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