Inbee Park "This Time Match Queen"... Se-young Kim 'Again 2017'

New Tournament Bank of Hope Match Play Advances with 2 Wins, Kim Sei-young and Ko Jin-young Join, Tawatanaikit and Jutanugarn 'Thai Dark Horses'

Park In-bee challenges her second win of the season at the Bank of Hope Match Play.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bee (33·KB Financial Group) aims to become the ‘Match Queen’.

On the 27th (Korean time), the LPGA Tour Bank of Hope Match Play (total prize money $1.5 million) kicks off at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72, 6,804 yards). This tournament was newly established after four years since the Lorena Ochoa Match Play was discontinued in 2017. A total of 64 players participate, divided into 16 groups like the World Cup in soccer, with the top player from each group advancing to the round of 16, followed by one-on-one match play battles.

The venue hosted the 2018 special event ‘The Match: Tiger vs Phil.’ At that time, veteran Phil Mickelson created news by defeating ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (both from the USA) after a fierce battle extending to 22 holes. In October last year, the PGA Tour’s The CJ Cup (total prize money $9.75 million), won by Jason Kokrak (USA), was held here. This tournament features sponsor invitees Natalie Gulbis and Alison Lee (both from the USA).

Park In-bee is determined to secure her second win of the season at this event. In March, she achieved a ‘wire-to-wire’ victory at the Kia Classic, leading throughout all four rounds. This marks her 21st career win since her victory at the Australian Women’s Open in February last year. She has finished in the top 3 three times in five tournaments this year. She also has experience winning the 2018 domestic Doosan Match Play tournament. After tying for third place at the HSBC Women’s on the 2nd, she recharged her energy with sufficient rest.

Se-young Kim aims to become the 'Match Queen' at the Bank of Hope Match Play for the first time in four years since 2017.

‘Number 3’ Kim Sei-young (28·Mediheal) is also a strong contender for the title. She was the last winner of the Lorena Ochoa Match Play in 2017, showcasing her strength by defeating Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) by one hole in the final. After winning the first three holes (holes 1 to 3), she never lost the lead. This season, she has played in seven tournaments but has yet to win. Her best result was a tie for second at last month’s Lotte Championship. She completed all preparations with a tie for seventh at last week’s Pure Silk Championship.

Korea’s lineup includes world No. 1 Ko Jin-young (26), ‘HSBC Women’s Champion’ Kim Hyo-joo (26·Lotte), Yoo So-yeon (31·Mediheal), Park Sung-hyun (28), and Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25·Daebang Construction). Other participants include ‘ANA Champion’ Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand), ‘Honda Champion’ Jutanugarn, Danielle Kang, Stacy Lewis (all USA), and Brooke Henderson (Canada). The Korda sisters, Nelly and Jessica, Lexi Thompson (all USA), and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) are absent.

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