'Number 1' Ko Jin-young "Multi Champ GO"..."Gallery Likes It"

'Gyomin Geoju' Dio Implant LA Open 2 Wins Challenge, Park In-bi 'Honor Recovery', Defending Champ Henderson 'Dark Horse'

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young challenges for her second win of the season at the DIO Implant LA Open.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No.1 Ko Jin-young (27) has star quality.

She performs well where there is a large gallery. The more cheering fans, the more motivated she becomes. In 2017, as a non-member, she won the KEB Hana Bank Championship held in Korea, securing her LPGA Tour card, and in 2019, she became a 'major queen' for the first time in her career at the ANA Inspiration, where many Korean expatriates watched. Last year, she dominated the BMW Ladies Championship held in Busan, becoming the Korean player with a total of 200 wins on the LPGA Tour.

Ko Jin-young will challenge for her second win at the LPGA Tour DIO Implant LA Open (total prize money $1.5 million), which kicks off on the night of the 21st (Korean time) at Wilshire Country Club (par 71, 6,447 yards) in Los Angeles, California, USA. This area has the largest Korean expatriate population in the United States. From this year, Korean digital dentistry company DIO Implant has become the new title sponsor, providing stronger motivation for victory.

Ko Jin-young started smoothly by winning her first title last month at the Singapore HSBC Women's World Championship. However, she suffered a blow to her pride by finishing tied for 53rd at the Chevron Championship, the first major of the 2022 season, on the 4th. That is why she skipped last week's Hawaii Lotte Championship to regroup. "I trained for two weeks," said Ko Jin-young, adding, "I consulted with my coach and worked on the necessary parts. I want to show good play in front of the gallery."

This tournament, now in its fourth year, suits her well. She finished runner-up in 2018, tied for 5th in 2019, and tied for 3rd in 2021, all within the top 5. Especially last year, she was in second place by one stroke after the third round, aiming for a comeback victory, but ended up with two birdies and three bogeys on the final day. Although she once took the lead, consecutive bogeys on holes 11 and 12 halted her momentum, and she settled for a tie for third place, two strokes behind. She is determined to "avenge this time."

Korea’s ‘Golf Empress’ Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group) is aiming to restore her honor. She is determined to wash away the humiliation of missing the cut at the Lotte Championship. At this tournament, she finished tied for 2nd in 2018, tied for 5th in 2019, and tied for 15th in 2021. Joining her are 2019 runner-up Kim Sei-young (29, Mirae Asset) and rookie Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte). Lotte Championship champion Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte) has chosen to rest. Defending champion Brooke Henderson (Canada) is a dark horse.

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