Choi Hye-jin 7th "LPGA Debut Win?"... Lydia Ko Leads

Gainbridge LPGA Day 3 Slightly Over Par, Danielle Kang 2nd, Boutier 3rd "Final Victory Battle"

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyunjun] Choi Hye-jin (23, photo) seems to be moving away from a 'debut victory.'

On the 30th (Korean time), at the Boca Rio Golf Club (par 72, 6,710 yards) in Boca Raton, Florida, USA, the third day of the second event of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, the Gainbridge LPGA (total prize money $2 million), Choi faltered with 1-over par and remained tied for 7th place (4-under par 212). Lydia Ko (New Zealand) leads (11-under par 205), with Danielle Kang (USA) chasing in 2nd place (9-under par 207). C?line Boutier (France) follows in 3rd place (8-under par 208).

Choi Hye-jin recorded three birdies and four bogeys. She secured her LPGA Tour card by finishing tied for 8th in the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series last December, and this is her first appearance. On this day, she struggled due to sudden strong winds and cold weather affecting her iron shots. She recovered a bogey on the 5th hole (par 4) with a birdie on the 8th hole (par 5), but consecutive bogeys on the 9th, 11th, and 13th holes made the path difficult. She made up two strokes late with 'stepping stone birdies' on the 15th and 17th holes. She is determined to "finish well despite the disappointment."

Lydia Ko is aiming for her first victory in nine months since the Lotte Championship last April, and Danielle Kang dreams of 'back-to-back wins.' Boutier surged to 3rd place with a daily best 3-under par, Yuka Saso (Japan) is tied for 4th (7-under par 209), and Korea's Jeon In-ji (28, KB Financial Group) is tied for 10th (3-under par 213). Anna Lin (26, Mediheal), the 'Q Series top finisher,' tied for 23rd (even par 216) alongside world No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA).

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