'Number 1' Ko Jin-young "Again 2019"... Tawattananakit 'Title Defense'

2 Wins in Season-Opening Major Chevron Championship, Rookie Titikun Aims for 2 Consecutive Wins, Korea Joins with Past Champions Inbee Park and So-yeon Ryu

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young aims to win the major Chevron Championship for the first time in three years since 2019.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (27) cannot forget April 2019.

At the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the LPGA Tour held at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California, USA, she secured a 3-stroke victory. Despite facing a major crisis with bogeys on holes 13 and 15 on the final day, she made a precious birdie on the 16th hole and celebrated her win with a birdie on the last 18th hole. This was her second win of the season following the Founders Cup two weeks earlier, marking her first-ever ‘Major Queen’ title.

She went on to have the best year of her career, winning four titles including the major Evian Championship and the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Sweeping awards such as Player of the Year, money title, scoring average, and the Annika Major Award, she heralded the ‘Ko Jin-young era.’ Ko Jin-young is recalling the thrilling memories of 2019. The Chevron Championship (total prize money $5 million), which opens on the 31st night (Korean time) at the same venue, the Dinah Shore Tournament Course (par 72, 6,799 yards), is the battleground.

The tournament is famous for the winner’s celebration of jumping into ‘Poppy Pond.’ From this year, the title sponsor has changed, and the tournament name was updated. With the new owner, the total prize money increased by as much as $1.9 million. This is the last tournament held at Mission Hills Golf Club. From next year, it will move to Houston, Texas, USA. Ko Jin-young hopes to become the ‘Lady of the Lake’ for the second time in three years. She said, “Because I won in 2019, I have good memories of this course.”

“Since this is the last tournament held at Mission Hills this year, every player probably wants to fall into Poppy Pond,” Ko Jin-young said. “I will play with positive and good thoughts,” she added, pledging, “I will do my best.” She is showing peak form again this year. On the 6th, in her first start of the ‘Asian Swing’ at the HSBC Women’s World Championship, she demonstrated her strength by earning her 13th career victory.

Last week, she also performed well, finishing tied for 4th at the JTBC Classic held at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California. Her strong finish with an eagle on the 16th hole and a birdie on the 17th hole stood out. Her driving accuracy of 80.56% and average putting of 28.38 strokes are the driving forces. She is showing stable performance to the extent of continuing a record of 34 consecutive rounds under par. Even though she has played only 2 out of 6 tournaments this year, she ranks 4th in Player of the Year, 7th in earnings, and 1st in scoring average.

Patty Tavatanakit is aiming for a consecutive win at the Major Chevron Championship.

Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) is aiming for her second consecutive win. Last year, she became the 14th rookie major champion in history, powered by a powerful 348-yard drive. The 19-year-old Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) is a dark horse. Last week at the JTBC Classic, she defeated ‘Honda Champ’ Nanna Madsen (Denmark) after an extended playoff battle. Korea is represented by champions including 2013 winner Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group), 2017 winner Yoo So-yeon (Mediheal), and 2020 winner Lee Mi-rim (NH Investment & Securities, all 32 years old).

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