'Comeback Queen' Jang Su-yeon "I'm the Opening Match Champ"..."Did You See the Winning Birdie on the 18th Hole?"

KLPGA Tour 2022 Season Opening Round Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open Final Day 4-Under Par '1-Stroke Victory', Defending Champ Lee So-mi 2nd Place

Jang Su-yeon is cheering immediately after winning the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Jang Su-yeon (28, Dongbu Construction) achieved a dramatic come-from-behind victory.

On the 10th, at Lotte Skyhill Golf Club in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,395 yards), the final day of the 2022 KLPGA Tour season opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open (total prize money 700 million KRW), she posted a 4-under-par round and ultimately secured a one-stroke victory (9-under-par 279). She drew even more spotlight by sinking the winning birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5). This marked her fourth career win after a long gap of 4 years and 7 months since the KLPGA Championship in September 2017, with a winner's prize of 126 million KRW.

Jang Su-yeon was a notable player back in her amateur days in September 2010 during the Hyundai Construction Open final round, when an overly strict KLPGA Tour rule cost her the championship. Her father, acting as her caddie, inadvertently placed the caddie bag in the direction of the ball, resulting in a two-stroke penalty. She eventually lost in a playoff to Lee Jeong-eun 5 (34), swallowing her tears. The 'direct ticket to the KLPGA Tour' slipped away, and after going through the pro test and the second-tier tour, she finally joined the tour in 2013.

It is interesting that Jang Su-yeon swept two wins in quick succession in April 2016 at the Lotte Mart Women's Open and in May at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship, achieving her breakthrough. In 2017, she became a major champion. All four of her career wins have been come-from-behind victories, truly earning her the title of 'Queen of Comebacks.' Starting from a tie for 4th place this time, she recorded five birdies and one bogey. She said, "I was frustrated by the long drought without a win," and added, "This year, I want to reach two wins as soon as possible," showing her fighting spirit.

Defending champion Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank) finished second (8-under-par 280). A third shot mistake on the final 18th hole prevented a playoff. Yoo Hae-ran (21, Daol Financial Group) and Lim Jin-hee (24) tied for third place (7-under-par 281), while Park Gyeol (26, Samil Pharmaceutical), In Ju-yeon (25, Samchully), Seo Yeon-jeong (27), and Ha Min-song (26) shared fifth place (6-under-par 282). The previous day's leader Na Hee-won (28) dropped to a tie for 11th place (4-under-par 284) after a rough 4-over-par round.

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