Gayoung Lee and Jihyun Kim "Tied for Lead by 1 Stroke"... Minji Park and Somi Lee 'Tied for 55th Place'

Season's Third Major Hanwha Classic Day Two: Choi Hye-jin Tied 3rd, Jang Ha-na Tied 6th, Oh Ji-hyun Tied 9th, All at 4 Under Par

Lee Gayoung is teeing off at the 11th hole on the second day of the Major Hanwha Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the leap to the lead by Lee Ga-young (22, NH Investment & Securities).

On the 27th, at Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,735 yards), during the second day of the third major of the 2021 KLPGA Tour season, the Hanwha Classic (total prize money 1.4 billion KRW), she posted a 4-under-par round to take the top spot on the leaderboard (7-under-par 137). Kim Ji-hyun (30, Hanwha Q CELLS), who participated in the sponsor's tournament, is also in this group. Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal), and Choi Ye-rim (21, SK Networks) are in a chase battle at a tie for 3rd place (6-under-par 138).

Starting from a tie for 4th place, 2 strokes behind, Lee Ga-young swept up 5 birdies (1 bogey). After a bogey on the 11th hole (par 4), she immediately recovered with a birdie on the 12th hole (par 5), then drew a steep upward curve with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes and a birdie on the 18th hole (par 5). In the back nine, she added a birdie on the 7th hole (par 3). She advanced as a co-leader by 1 stroke, laying the foundation for her first career victory. She said, "As I gained experience, I have matured more," and added, "From the 3rd round, I will play safely to reduce mistakes."

Kim Ji-hyun is teeing off at the 11th hole on the second day of the major Hanwha Classic. Photo by KLPGA

Kim Ji-hyun caught 4 birdies and joined the competition for the win after a long time. Since her 5th career victory at the Doosan Match Play in May 2019, she has been without a title for over two years. Kim Ji-hyun, who said, "Jade Palace is a golf course owned by the sponsor, so I often play rounds here and have developed my own strategy," explained, "I had a slight injury to my arm and wrist early in the season, so my shots were not so good, but recently they have improved."

Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) is watching for an opportunity at a tie for 6th place (5-under-par 139). Oh Ji-hyun (25, KB Financial Group) is tied for 9th (4-under-par 140), and Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Trust) is tied for 15th (3-under-par 141). Kim Hae-rim (32, Samchully), who was the leader the previous day, lost 3 strokes and dropped to a tie for 22nd place (2-under-par 142). Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Trust) is tied for 33rd (1-under-par 143). Six-time champion Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) barely advanced to the finals at a tie for 55th place (1-over-par 145). Two-time champion Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) is also tied for 55th.

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