Ko Jin-young "Leading by 1 Stroke"... Jeon In-ji and Lee Jeong-eun 6 Tied for 2nd Place

Volunteers of America Classic First Day 8-Under Par Surge, Kim Minji 4th, Kim Hyoju 33rd

Ko Jin-young is reading the putting line on the 10th hole on the first day of the Volunteers of America Classic. The Colony, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Number 2' Ko Jin-young (26) is on a winning streak.

On the 2nd (Korean time) at Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas, USA (par 71, 6,475 yards), the first day of the LPGA Tour Volunteers of America (VOA) Classic (total prize money $1.5 million) saw her surge ahead with an 8-under-par. Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) and Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction) are tied for 2nd place (7-under-par 64), while Kim Min-ji (24) and Emma Talley (USA) are tied for 4th place (6-under-par 65), engaging in a chase.

Ko Jin-young recorded one eagle and six birdies without any bogeys. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), she ignited momentum with an eagle on the 17th hole (par 5) and consecutive birdies on the 1st and 2nd holes, followed by a birdie on the 4th hole and an impressive three consecutive birdies from the 6th to 8th holes. She powered through with an average drive of 271 yards and a 'dry putt' performance of 24 putts during the round. Leading by one stroke, this marks her first win of the season and her 8th career victory, seven months after winning the CME Group Tour Championship last December.

Ko Jin-young recently lost the world No. 1 ranking to Nelly Korda (USA), which was a blow to her pride. It was the first time in two years since she became No. 1 after winning the Evian Championship in July 2019. During that period, she participated in 10 tournaments and entered the top 10 four times but failed to secure a win, causing frustration. It is welcome news that she has shaken off poor performances such as a tie for 57th at the Meijer Classic and a tie for 46th at last week's major KPMG Women's PGA Championship. She exclaimed, "It’s been a long time since I had a round without any bogeys," and added, "My putting was really good."

She continued, "Korda became No. 1 because of her recent good results," and laughed, "I am still alive." With Korda and No. 3 Park In-bi (33, KB Financial Group) absent, Korea’s Lee Jeong-eun (33) is tied for 16th place (3-under-par 68), world No. 6 Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) is tied for 33rd (2-under-par 69), and No. 4 Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal) is tied for 50th (1-under-par 71). Defending champion Angela Stanford (USA) is tied for 33rd.

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