"'Madunni' Ji Eun-hee, Will She End Her LPGA 11-Match Winless Streak?"

Jieunhee, Kang Hyeji Shoot 6-Under 138 in Mediheal Championship 2R
5 Shots Behind Leader Jodi Ewart Shadoff
Choi Hyejin, Who Faced Cut Threat, Tied 27th

Jieunhee

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] Eldest sister Ji Eun-hee (36) and Kang Hye-ji (32) continued the hopes of Korean female players for a victory on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, which has been halted for 11 consecutive matches.

On the 7th (local time), Ji Eun-hee recorded a 4-under-par 68 in the second round of the LPGA Tour Mediheal Championship held at the Saticoy Club (par 72) in Los Angeles, California, USA. With a total score of 6-under-par 138, she climbed 22 spots from a tie for 25th place the previous day. Kang Hye-ji also reduced her score by 3 strokes that day, sharing 3rd place with Ji Eun-hee. Although she is 5 strokes behind the leader Jodi Ewart Shadoff (UK, 11-under-par 133), the gap is narrow enough to aim for a comeback in the remaining 3rd and 4th rounds.

Ji Eun-hee made only one bogey and secured five birdies that day. Marking her 18th year since turning professional, Ji Eun-hee has recorded a total of six wins on the LPGA Tour. Especially since 2017, she has continued her second prime with four wins, demonstrating her undiminished skills. This year, she also increased her wins by claiming victory at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play.

Kang Hye-ji also made one bogey and four birdies that day, reducing her score by 3 strokes and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ji Eun-hee. Kang Hye-ji, who entered the LPGA stage in 2009, has yet to achieve a tour victory.

Since Jeon In-ji won the major KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June, Korean players have failed to lift the winner's cup in 11 consecutive LPGA Tour events up to the Ascendant LPGA tournament that ended on the 3rd of this month. This is the first time since October 2013 to June 2014, when Korean players went 17 consecutive tournaments without a win on the LPGA Tour. Korean players, who won seven times on the LPGA Tour last year, have only managed four wins this year.

Choi Hye-jin (23), who was on the verge of missing the cut due to a disappointing 3-over-par 75 the previous day, made a remarkable comeback by shooting 6-under-par that day. She is tied for 27th place with a total score of 3-under-par 141.

Choi Hye-jin improved her greens in regulation rate from the mid-50% range the previous day to 88.89%, racking up eight birdies that day. She recorded her first birdie on the 11th hole (par 4) in the front nine, then boosted her condition by making three consecutive birdies on holes 13 to 15. She added another birdie on the 18th hole (par 5). Although she exchanged birdies and bogeys on holes 3 and 4 and holes 6 and 7, she finished the round with a birdie on the final 9th hole (par 3).

Earlier, Choi Hye-jin withdrew after the first round of the Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America tournament held last week. Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), who is competing with Choi Hye-jin for the Rookie of the Year award, did not reduce her score, shooting an even-par 72 that day and remaining tied for 10th place with a total score of 139.

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