Defending Champion Park Minji "Leading by Two Days"... Song Gaeun "2nd Place, 1 Stroke Behind"

CELLTRION Queens Masters Day 2: 5 Under Par, Kim Minju 3rd, Yoo Hae-ran 6th, Cho A-yeon 18th, Jang Hana 'Withdraws'

Park Min-ji is examining the green on the 13th hole during the second day of the Celltrion Queens Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Defending champion Park Min-ji (24) is smoothly advancing toward her second consecutive victory.

On the 11th, at the Seolhaewon The Legend Course in Yangyang, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,633 yards), during the second day of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Celltrion Queens Masters (total prize money 1 billion KRW), she posted a 5-under-par round to lead by one stroke (12-under-par 132). Last year's Rookie of the Year Song Ga-eun (22) is in second place (11-under-par 133), Kim Min-ju (20) in third (10-under-par 134), and Kwon Seo-yeon (21) in fourth (8-under-par 136), all engaged in a chase.

Park Min-ji started with a one-stroke lead and recorded eight birdies and three bogeys. She lost a stroke with a bogey on the 5th hole (par 4) after a birdie on the 1st hole (par 5), but made two pairs of consecutive birdies on the 6th-7th and 10th-11th holes. On the remaining seven holes, she added three birdies and two bogeys, reducing her score by one more stroke. Leading by one stroke, she is aiming to defend her title again after securing her first win of the season and her 11th career victory with back-to-back wins at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship on the 15th of last month.

Song Ga-eun is teeing off at the 15th hole on the second day of the Celltrion Queens Masters. Photo by KLPGA

Song Ga-eun collected seven birdies (one bogey). She is the player who won her first career victory at the Hana Financial Group Championship last October and was crowned Rookie of the Year. This year, she has participated in nine tournaments, entering the top 10 twice, and ranks 30th in prize money (76.14 million KRW). "Overall, my shots were good, and my putting was well, so I got a good score," said Song Ga-eun. "The rough is long, so it's important to keep the fairway well," she added, expressing her desire to play without regrets on the final day.

‘Nexen·Saintnine Champion’ Yoo Hae-ran (21) is tied for 6th place (6-under-par 138), ‘Kyochon Champion’ Cho Ah-yeon (22) is tied for 18th (3-under-par 141), and ‘Doosan Match Champion’ Hong Jeong-min (20) is tied for 40th (1-under-par 143). Last week's Lotte Open winner Sung Yoo-jin (22, Hanwha Q CELLS) advanced to the third round tied for 54th (even par 144). ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car Champion’ Jang Soo-yeon (28) and ‘Mediheal Champion’ Park Ji-young (26) missed the cut. ‘E1 Charity Champion’ Jung Yoon-ji (22) and Jang Ha-na (30) withdrew from the tournament.

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