'Long Drive Queen' Yoon Ina "Glad to Finish Well"... Lee Jae Young "Never Scored 63 Even in Practice"

Hoban Seoul Shinmun Women's Classic Day 1: 3-Under Par Tied 9th, Lee Jeyoung Leads at 9-Under Par, Choi Garam 2nd, Cho Ayeon Tied 3rd in Chase

Yoo Yina is putting on the 12th hole on the first day of the Hoban Seoul Shinmun Women's Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Long Drive Queen’ Yoon Ina (19) has made a smooth start.

On the 22nd, at the H1 Club in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (Par 72, 6,654 yards), the newly established Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour event, Hoban Seoul Shinmun Women's Classic (total prize money 1 billion KRW), saw Yoon Ina shoot 3-under par on the first day, placing her in a tie for 9th. Lee Jae-young (21) took the lead with 9-under par 63, followed by Choi Garam (30) in 2nd place with 6-under par 66, and ‘Kyochon Champ’ Jo Ah-yeon (22) and Ahn Ji-hyun (23) tied for 3rd at 5-under par 67, engaging in a chase.

Yoon Ina recorded four birdies and one bogey. She started with a birdie on the 10th hole (par 4) but lost it with a bogey on the 17th hole (par 3), resulting in no score reduction in the front nine. However, in the back nine, she energized the course with consecutive birdies on the 3rd and 4th holes, followed by another birdie on the 8th hole (par 3). Although she is six strokes behind the leader, with two days remaining, she has a chance for a second consecutive win following last week's Ever Collagen Queens Crown. She said, "Overall, it was a day full of regrets," but added, "Still, I’m glad to have finished well by reducing three strokes."

Lee Jeyoung is teeing off at the 10th hole on the first day of the Hoban Seoul Shinmun Women’s Classic. Photo by KLPGA

Lee Jae-young swept up 10 birdies (and one bogey) to dominate the top of the leaderboard. Although she debuted in 2020, she lost her tour card and played on the Dream Tour last year before rejoining the regular tour this year. She has participated in 14 tournaments this season but has only advanced to the main event four times and has yet to break into the ‘top 10’. "I have never shot 63 during practice," said Lee Jae-young, adding, "Today, my putting was good. I will focus on reducing my score without worrying about the results."

‘Mediheal Champ’ Park Ji-young (26) is positioned in a tie for 5th place (4-under par 68). This is a spot where she can wash away the disappointment of last week’s runner-up finish. She is currently leading in average score (69.78), second in prize money (505.65 million KRW), and third in points for the Player of the Year (312 points), showing an upward trend. A win would put her at the top of the prize money rankings. Lim Hee-jung and Park Hyun-kyung (both 22), Ji Han-sol (26), and Lee So-mi (23) are tied for 9th, while Yoo Hae-ran (21), Lee Da-yeon (25), and Park Gyeol (26) are tied for 24th place (2-under par 70).

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