An Seonju's 'Mom Power' "3 Under Par Tied 2nd"... Kim Haerim "5 Under Par Leading"

Opening Day of Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open: Na Heewon Tied 2nd, Jo Ayeon and Kim Jiyoung2 Tied 4th, Lee Somi and Jang Hana Tied 16th

Ahn Sun-joo is discussing hole strategy with her husband Kim Seong-ho, who served as her caddie on the first day of the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open at the 9th hole. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the "Mom Power" of An Seon-ju (35, National Beef).

On the 7th, at the Lotte Skyhill Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,395 yards), the opening round of the 2022 KLPGA Tour season, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open (total prize money 700 million KRW), An Seon-ju shot 3 under par to tie for 2nd place. "Egg Golfer" Kim Hae-rim (33, Samchully) leads with 5 under par 67, Na Hee-won (28, High1 Resort) is tied for 2nd, and a total of six players including 2019 champion Cho Ah-yeon (22, Dongbu Construction) and Kim Ji-young 2 (26, Hanwha Q CELLS) are tied for 4th place at 2 under par 70.

An Seon-ju recorded five birdies and two bogeys. After "stepping stone birdies" on holes 1 and 3, she took a breather with a bogey on the 5th hole (par 3), then energized herself with consecutive birdies on holes 8 and 9 and another birdie on the 13th hole (par 4). However, a "3-putt bogey" on the final 18th hole (par 5) was regrettable. Her husband Kim Seong-ho, a former golf player who married in 2014, served as her caddie. An Seon-ju has won 28 times on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. She is a "lifetime exempt player" with over 20 wins overseas.

From 2006 to 2009, she won seven times domestically, then moved to Japan and claimed the money title four times. After giving birth to twins last year, she is focusing on the KLPGA Tour this year. An Seon-ju said, "I never thought about shooting in the 60s," adding, "The wind is so strong that I can't afford to relax tomorrow either." She continued, "Since my condition is still not normal, my first goal is to pass the qualifiers in every tournament," and added, "I will approach it with the attitude of learning from good juniors."

Kim Hae-rim is teeing off at the 2nd hole on the first day of the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open. Photo by KLPGA

Meanwhile, Kim Hae-rim, who took the lead, showed flawless play with five birdies and no bogeys. Known for her story involving eggs, she said she ate a lot of boiled eggs to increase her driving distance. Leading by two strokes, she has a chance for her eighth career win, her first in nine months since winning the McCol and Mona Park Open last July. "I was very nervous before the opening round and couldn't sleep well, but today was very satisfying," Kim Hae-rim said. She cheered, "Changing to a torso swing seems to have been effective, and since the start is good, I expect good results this year."

Defending champion Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank) exchanged four birdies for four bogeys and could not reduce her score. After sailing at 3 under par in the front nine, she gave up bogeys on holes 10, 14, 16, and 17. She is tied for 16th place at even par 72, five strokes behind the leader. Last year's average score leader Jang Ha-na (30, BC Card) also submitted a messy scorecard with three birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. She is looking to move up in the upper ranks from the group tied for 16th place.

Lee So-mi is making an iron shot on the 3rd hole during the first day of the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open. Photo by KLPGA

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