'Number 1' Ko Jin-young "Challenge, 3 Consecutive Wins"…Kim Se-young "Again 2016"

Record-Breaking Lineup at Cognizant Founders Cup, Reigning Champion Kim Se-young Joins, Kim A-rim and Choi Hye-jin Compete

'Number 1' Ko Jin-young challenges a three-peat victory at the Cognizant Founders Cup.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Challenge, aiming for a 3rd consecutive victory."

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) is on a quest for a remarkable record. On the 12th (Korean time), at the Cognizant Founders Cup (total prize money $3 million), the 11th event of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, held at Upper Montclair Golf Club in Clifton, New Jersey (par 71, 6,656 yards), she aims for her third consecutive win. Ko Jin-young previously claimed the title in 2019 and 2021. The tournament was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19, so a victory this time would mark a three-peat.

Ko Jin-young debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2018 and has accumulated 13 career wins, including two major championships. She has earned Rookie of the Year, and in 2019, she was named Player of the Year, won the Vare Trophy, and topped the money list. She is the first Korean player to win the money title three consecutive times (2019?2021) and has received the Player of the Year award twice (2019, 2021). Notably, she successfully defended her title at last year's season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship, securing five wins in the season.

She currently dominates the women's golf world as the undisputed No. 1. Her only rival, No. 2 Nelly Korda (USA), has not competed since the Drive On Championship in February due to treatment for blood clots, allowing Ko Jin-young to run away with the lead. Ko has continued to demonstrate her supremacy this year as well. At the HSBC Women's World Championship in March, her first tournament appearance this year, she claimed victory and has finished in the top 10 three times in five events.

On the 24th of last month, during the third round of the DIO Implant LA Open, she suffered a quadruple bogey on the 17th hole (par 4) due to a shot mishap in the mud, and a four-putt double bogey on the 7th hole (par 3) in the fourth round, but she showed resilience by finishing as runner-up at the following Palos Verdes Championship. On the final day of the Palos Verdes Championship, she displayed her ability by shooting 5 under par. Her powerful drives averaging 265 yards and a 100% fairway hit rate stood out. She is determined to "play while enjoying the game." Joining her from Korea are 2016 champion Kim Sei-young (29, Mirae Asset), KLPGA Championship winner Kim A-lim (27, SBI Savings Bank), and rookie Choi Hye-jin (23, Lotte).

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