‘Trendsetter’ Park Minji "This Time 7 Wins GO~"

Evo Collagen Queens Crowners Aim for 2nd Consecutive Win, Park Hyun-kyung and Jang Ha-na 'Title Contenders', Baek Gyu-jeong Recommended Player Debuts

"The rising star Park Min-ji challenges for her 7th season win at the Evo Collagen Queens Crown."

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the 7th win challenge for the rising star Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities).

The Evo Collagen Queens Crown (total prize money 800 million KRW) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, which kicked off on the 15th at Lakewood Golf Course in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,539 yards), is a fierce battleground. This newly established tournament this year features 120 players competing over four days in stroke play to determine the winner. Park Min-ji is the undisputed 'Number 1' on the domestic stage this season. Last week, she achieved her 6th win of the season and 10th career victory at the Daebo House D Open.

She has collected six trophies in 11 tournaments this year, boasting a winning rate of an impressive 54.5%. She is the first player in KLPGA Tour history to surpass six wins and 1 billion KRW in prize money by July. She leads in wins, prize money (1.128 billion KRW), points for the Player of the Year (403 points), and average score (69.45 strokes). She is currently racing toward new goals of breaking Shin Ji-ae’s (33) record of most wins in 2007 (9 wins) and Park Sung-hyun’s 2016 record for highest prize money (1.333 billion KRW).

Her ‘needle-like iron shots’ with the highest green hit rate (78.49%) and clutch ability to deliver decisive blows in critical moments are outstanding. At the Celltrion Queens Masters, Korean Women’s Open, and Daebo House D Open, she sealed victories with birdies on the 18th hole on the final day. Park Min-ji said, "You have to make a lot of birdies on this course to rank high," and added, "I will be as aggressive as possible. Since I am on an upswing, I want to achieve good results."

‘KLPGA Championship champ’ Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Trust) is a strong contender for the title. She recalls fondly her first career win at last year’s KLPGA Championship held here. She expressed confidence, saying, "Since this is the course where I won my first title, my expectations are high. If I can place the ball where I want and support it with good putting, I can aim for the championship." Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card), ranked second in Player of the Year points and average score, is also a dark horse.

Lakewood Golf Course feels like home turf. She has won twice here: at the 2015 YTN·Volvik Ladies Open and the 2018 KLPGA Championship. "Because I have winning experience on this course, I am confident," she said, adding, "If I focus on the accuracy of my iron shots, I expect good results." ‘Three-time consecutive Player of the Year’ Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) is back in pursuit of her first win of the season. Baek Gyu-jeong (26) has drawn attention as a recommended player.

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