Minji Lee Powers "Tied 4th at 5 Under Par"... Jiyoung Kim2 Leads at 7 Under Par

On the First Day of Hana Financial Group Championship, Jeong Yoonji and Ahn Subin Tied for 2nd at 6 Under Par, Park Minji Tied for 39th at 1 Under Par

Lee Minji is teeing off at the 3rd hole on the first day of the Hana Financial Group Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Woo-rae] It’s the ‘LPGA power’ of Minjee Lee (Australia), the ‘Evian Champ.’

On the 30th, at Adonis Golf Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province (par 71, 6,480 yards), during the first day of the KLPGA Tour Hana Financial Group Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW), she shot 5-under par over 13 holes, placing her in a tie for 4th. Kim Ji-young2 (25, SK Networks) leads with 7-under par, while Jung Yoon-ji (21, NH Investment & Securities) and Ahn Soo-bin (23, Golden Blue) share 2nd place at 6-under par 65. Due to fog, the start was delayed by three hours, and 42 players were unable to complete the first round.

Minjee Lee showcased perfect play with no bogeys, including one eagle and three birdies. She gained momentum with a birdie on the 5th hole (par 4) and an eagle on the 6th hole (par 5), then added two more birdies on the 8th hole (par 4) and the 12th hole (par 3). After her tee shot on the 13th hole (par 4), play was halted due to sunset. Using her ‘needle-like iron shots,’ she created perfect birdie opportunities. She is two strokes behind the leader, in a position to expect a come-from-behind victory. Minjee Lee is currently ranked 7th in the world and is sponsored by Hana Financial Group.

In July, she became a ‘major queen’ for the first time in her career by winning the Evian Championship on the LPGA Tour, accumulating six wins on the U.S. stage. She ranks 3rd in earnings this year ($1,338,709) and 5th in Player of the Year points (96 points). She has shown a steep upward trend, finishing in the top 5 four times in her last five tournaments. Last week, at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, she demonstrated her strength by tying for 2nd place alongside Ji Eun-hee (35, Hanwha Q CELLS).

Kim Ji-young2 racked up eight birdies (one bogey) over 15 holes. She debuted in 2016 and has two career wins. Four players, including Lee Da-yeon (24, Mediheal), joined the tie for 4th place. Two-time winner Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) is tied for 9th at 4-under par, Ji Han-sol (25, Dongbu Construction) is tied for 12th at 3-under par, and ‘2nd in earnings’ Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card), ‘3rd in earnings’ Park Hyun-kyung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation), and Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) are all tied for 26th at 2-under par, watching for their opportunities.

Park Min-ji is making a bunker shot on the 4th hole during the first day of the Hana Financial Group Championship. Photo by KLPGA

Six-time winner Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) recorded only one birdie over 12 holes. She is tied for 39th along with Lim Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Corporation) and defending champion Ahn Na-rin (25, Moonyoung Group). Lydia Ko (New Zealand), ranked 9th in the world, exchanged two birdies for two bogeys over 13 holes and is tied for 58th at even par. No Ye-rim (USA) is struggling at 1-over par, tied for 75th. Last week’s Elkru winner Yoo Hae-ran (20, SK Networks) is tied for 94th at 3-over par.

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