Ko Jin-young "First Korean Player Victory"... 'New Record of 15 Consecutive Rounds in the 60s' (Comprehensive)

'Asian Swing' HSBC Women's World Championship 13th Career Win, Jeon In-ji and Lee Min-ji Tied for 2nd, Lee Jeong-eun6 Tied for 4th

Ko Jin-young is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the HSBC Women's. Sentosa (Singapore) = Getty Images / MultiBits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) collected the first victory trophy of the year for Korean players.

On the 6th (Korean time), at the Tanjong Course (par 72, 6,749 yards) of Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, the final day of the 4th round of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, the 'Asian Swing' HSBC Women's World Championship (total prize money $1.7 million), Ko Jin-young surged with a 6-under-par round to secure a 2-stroke victory (17-under-par 271). This marked her 13th LPGA Tour win, four months after the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the 2021 season, with a winner's prize of $255,000 (310 million KRW).

She demonstrated her 'Number 1' power by winning six of the last ten tournaments. She set a new LPGA Tour record by shooting scores in the 60s for 15 consecutive rounds. The previous record was 14 consecutive rounds in the 60s, set by Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) in 2005 and Yoo So-yeon (32, Mediheal) in 2017. Additionally, she set a new record for 30 consecutive rounds under par, surpassing the 29 consecutive rounds under par records held by Sorenstam in 2004 and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) in 2015.

Starting from a tie for second place, one stroke behind the leader, Ko Jin-young made seven birdies and one bogey. She gained momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 8 and 9 but was checked by a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4). However, she showed resilience with four consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 16, tying with Lee Jeong-eun 6 (26, Daebang Construction), who had been leading. On the final 18th hole (par 4), she secured a crucial birdie to clinch the come-from-behind victory. Her 'needle-like iron shots,' missing the fairway only once, were the driving force.

Ko Jin-young first secured her LPGA Tour card by winning the KEB Hana Bank Championship in 2017 as a non-member, then debuted on the U.S. stage the following year and won Rookie of the Year. She had her best year in 2019, winning four times including two majors, and last year she won five times, achieving three consecutive money titles. This victory solidifies her long-term reign as world No. 1. She exclaimed, "I was confident in the back nine," and added, "I'm even happier to win with a new record."

Lee Jeong-eun 6 is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the final day of HSBC Women's. Sentosa (Singapore) = Getty Images / Multibits

Jeon In-ji (28, KB Financial Group), who was the leader the previous day, shot 3-under-par but settled for a tie for second place (15-under-par 273) with Minjee Lee (Australia). Lee Jeong-eun 6 collapsed with a double bogey on the 18th hole, dropping to a tie for fourth place (14-under-par 274). Korea also had Yang Hee-young (33, Woori Financial Group) tied for sixth place (13-under-par 275) and Kim Ah-rim (27, SBI Savings Bank) tied for ninth place (11-under-par 277) in the top 10. Defending champion Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte) finished tied for 26th place (6-under-par 282).

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