Park Minji "Defending the Title Again"... Im Heejeong "Eager for First Win"

Celltrion Queens Aim for 2nd Consecutive Win at Masters, Park Hyun-kyung Seeks Revenge, Sung Yoo-jin Challenges for 2nd Straight Victory

Park Min-ji aims for a second consecutive win at the Celltrion Queens Masters.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the title defense match for Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities), the 'No. 1 in Korea.'

The Celltrion Queens Masters (total prize money 1 billion KRW), part of the KLPGA Tour, is being held on the 10th at Seolhaewon Golf Course in Yangyang, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,633 yards), a fierce battleground. This tournament, which ended last June at Seo Seoul Golf Course in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is known as the 'promised land' where Park achieved a come-from-behind victory. At that time, she secured her fourth win of the season, heralding the 'Park Min-ji era.' Riding this momentum last year, she swept six wins and topped the charts in wins, the Player of the Year award, and prize money.

Park Min-ji is also cruising this year. She missed the season opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open in April, due to COVID-19 and withdrew from the Nexen Saint Nine Masters due to aftereffects. However, after finishing tied for 4th at the KLPGA Championship and tied for 8th at the Kyochon Honey Ladies Open to regain form, she successfully defended her title at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship on the 15th of last month. She boasts consistency with four top-10 finishes, including one win, in seven tournaments this year.

As of the 7th, she ranks 5th in Player of the Year points (172 points), 6th in prize money (239.03 million KRW), and 7th in scoring average (70.84 strokes). She records a driving distance of 244.06 yards (35th), fairway hit rate of 75.94% (66th), greens in regulation rate of 76.61% (8th), and average putts of 30.32 (39th). If her clutch putting improves, she is well-positioned to aim for the top. A victory would mark her second win first and set a rare record of winning two consecutive tournaments twice in one year.

Im Hee-jeong is challenging for her first victory again at the Celltrion Queens Masters.

Im Hee-jeong (22, Korea Land & Housing Corporation Trust) is challenging for her first win again. Since her debut in 2019, she has emerged as a new force on the KLPGA Tour with three wins. This year, she suffered a serious traffic accident in April and struggled with aftereffects, but she has entered revival mode with a 3rd place finish at last month's Doosan Match Play Championship. It is a revenge match against last year's runner-up Park Hyun-kyung (22, Korea Land & Housing Corporation Trust). Last week's Lotte Open champion Sung Yoo-jin (22, Hanwha Q CELLS) is aiming for her second consecutive win.

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