Suji Kim Leads at 9 Under Par... Minji Park Tied for 18th at 3 Under Par

KG·Edaily Ladies Open Day 1: Lee Gayoung and Park Bokyem Tied for 2nd, Park Hyunkyung and Choi Hyejin Tied for 4th in Chase

Kim Suji is teeing off at the 13th hole on the first day of the KG·Edaily Ladies Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Kim Su-ji (25, Dongbu Construction) is the 'unknown sensation.'

On the first day of the KG·Edaily Ladies Open (total prize money 700 million KRW) held on the 3rd at the Turning Point Golf Course in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,722 yards), she shot 9 under par to top the leaderboard. Lee Ga-young (22, NH Investment & Securities) and Park Bo-gyeom (23, Hana Financial Group) are tied for 2nd place (6 under par, 66 strokes), while Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte), and Ji Su-jin (24, Pepper Savings Bank) are among five players tied for 4th place (5 under par, 67 strokes).

Kim Su-ji boasted a perfect play with nine birdies and no bogeys. In the front nine, she made two pairs of stepping-stone birdies on holes 11, 13 and 16, 18, then added consecutive birdies on holes 3 (par 5), 5-6, and 8-9. She debuted in 2017 and has never ranked within the top 20 in prize money until last year. Her personal best was a tie for 2nd place at the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup in June. She said, "Both my shots and putting were good," and added, "I will aim for the win."

Kim Ji-hyun (30, Hanwha Q CELLS) and Jang Soo-yeon (27, Dongbu Construction) are tied for 4th place, and two-time champion Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) started comfortably tied for 9th place (4 under par, 68 strokes). Defending champion Park Seo-jin (22, Yojin Construction) and Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction) are also in this group. Six-time champion Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) recorded four birdies and one bogey to sit tied for 18th place (3 under par, 69 strokes). Oh Ji-hyun (25, KB Financial Group) finished tied for 50th place (1 under par, 71 strokes).

Park Minji is making an iron shot at the 13th hole on the first day of the KG·Edaily Ladies Open. Photo by KLPGA

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