Choi Woon-jung 5th Place "5-Under Par Surge"... Hataoka Leads

Marathon Classic Day 2: Yang Heeyoung and Kim Arim 22nd, Park Inbee 28th, 4 Strokes Behind Leader

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist] "5-under par spurt."

Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik, photo) has entered the winning zone after a long time. On the 10th (Korean time), at the Meadows Golf Course in Sylvania, Ohio, USA (par 71, 6,578 yards), during the second day of the LPGA Tour Marathon Classic (total prize money $2 million), she surged with a 5-under par round to tie for 5th place (8-under par 134 strokes). Nasa Hataoka (Japan) maintained her lead for the second consecutive day (12-under par 130 strokes), while Mina Harigae (USA) is chasing in 2nd place, 2 strokes behind (10-under par 132 strokes).

Choi Woon-jung recorded 6 birdies and 1 bogey. She started strong with consecutive birdies on holes 10 and 11, had her only bogey on hole 12 (par 4), but regained momentum with back-to-back birdies on holes 17 and 18. She added 2 more birdies on holes 3 and 8 in the back nine. Although her greens in regulation dropped from 94.44% the previous day to 77.78% on this day, her 27 ‘stingy putts’ proved effective. She is 4 strokes behind the leader, creating a chance to reclaim the top spot for the first time in 6 years since her 2015 victory.

Hataoka is aiming for her 4th career win, her first in 2 years and 3 months since the Kia Classic in April 2019. Alison Lee and Elizabeth Szokol (both USA) are tied for 3rd place (9-under par 133 strokes). From Korea, Yang Hee-young (32) and Kim A-rim (26) are tied for 22nd place (5-under par 137 strokes), and Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) is tied for 28th place (4-under par 138 strokes), looking forward to the third round. Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal) is tied for 37th place (3-under par 139 strokes), and Kim In-kyung (33) is tied for 56th place (1-under par 141 strokes).

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