Jang Hana and Kim Heeji 'Tied for Lead by One Stroke'... Ji Han-sol 'Withdraws'

Lotte Open Day 2: Exciting 3-Under, Anna Lin and Lim Hee-jeong, Cho A-yeon Tied for 3rd, Park Hyun-kyung 'Cut Off'

Jang Hana is teeing off at the 14th hole on the second day of the Lotte Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Jang Hana (29, BC Card) takes the lead.

On the 4th, at the Incheon Cheongna Bears Best Golf Club USA-Australasia Course (par 72, 6,716 yards), during the second day of the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open (total prize money 800 million KRW), she shot 3 under par to top the leaderboard at 5 under par 139. Rookie Kim Hee-ji (20, BC Card) is also in this group. Anna Lin (25, Munyoung Group), along with Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Trust), Jo Ah-yeon (21, Dongbu Construction), and three others are chasing in a five-way tie for 3rd place at 4 under par 140.

Jang Hana started from a tie for 11th place, 3 strokes behind, and collected 4 birdies (1 bogey). Her concentration stood out in the front nine, where she reduced 4 strokes with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 10 and 12 and consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15. However, in the back nine with strong winds, it was regrettable that she only made a bogey on the 3rd hole (par 3). She is tied for the lead by 1 stroke, seizing the chance for her 14th career win, her first in 7 months since winning the SK Networks·Seoul Economic Ladies Classic last November.

Describing the course as "full of traps and requiring focus and tension on every hole," Jang Hana said, "If I get greedy, I could make a big mistake," and added, "Since I am among the top ranks, I will play with confidence" regarding her determination for the remaining rounds. Anna Lin made a hole-in-one on the 12th hole (par 3), along with 1 eagle, 3 birdies, and 4 bogeys, reducing her score by 1 stroke. This marks the first time in KLPGA Tour history to have 5 consecutive rounds with a hole-in-one. Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) faltered, tied for 8th place at 3 under par 141.

Previous day leader An Song-yi (31, KB Financial Group) dropped to a tie for 11th place at 2 under par 142. ‘Kyochon Champ’ Kwak Bo-mi (29, High1 Resort) is tied for 33rd at 1 over par 145, and ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car Champ’ Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) is tied for 44th at 2 over par 146. ‘KLPGA Championship Champ’ Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Trust) missed the cut, tied for 80th at 5 over par 149. ‘E1 Charity Open Champ’ Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction) withdrew due to a right wrist injury.

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