‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young "Today 7 Over Par"... ‘Lowest Aftermath of Injury’

by Roh Woolae

Published 21 Oct.2022 16:19(KST)

Defending Champ Ko Jin-young 78th on Second Day of BMW Ladies Championship
Andrea Lee Leads, Titikun and Boo, Kim Min-sol Tied 2nd, 2 Shots Behind
Lydia Ko and Hong Ye-eun Tied 5th, Choi Hye-jin and Kim Hyo-joo Tied 8th

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young is teeing off at the 10th hole on the second day of the BMW Ladies Championship. Photo by BMW Korea

[Wonju (Gangwon) = Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27) has fallen to the bottom.

On the 21st, Ko Jin-young struggled with 7 over par on the second day of the BMW Ladies Championship (total prize money $2 million), the only LPGA Tour event in Korea, held at Oak Valley Golf Club in Wonju, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,647 yards), ranking 78th (15 over par 159). Andrea Lee (USA) leads at 12 under par 132, with world No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), Lilia Vu (USA), and Kim Min-sol (16, Suseong Bangtong High School 1st year) tied for 2nd at 10 under par 134.

Starting from a tie for 76th, Ko Jin-young recorded 1 eagle, 1 birdie, 8 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. Her shots were greatly unstable, rarely creating birdie opportunities, and she suffered a critical double bogey on the first hole (par 4) of the back nine.

Since winning her 13th career title at the HSBC Women's World Championship last March, Ko Jin-young has not added another trophy. After consecutive missed cuts at the AIG Women's Open and CP Open in August, she took time off for wrist injury treatment and recharged before returning to defend her title at this tournament. Although she returned to competition after about two months, she could not overcome the aftereffects of the injury. Depending on her performance in this tournament, she may lose her No. 1 ranking.

Andrea Lee took the top of the leaderboard with 6 birdies and no bogeys. She debuted in 2020 and earned her first career win at the AmazingCre Portland Classic last September. Atthaya Thitikul, who was the leader the previous day, dropped from the top spot with a 1 under par round. Among Korean players, national team standby Kim Min-sol added 2 under par to join the group tied for 2nd.

Lydia Ko (New Zealand) and Hong Ye-eun (20) are tied for 5th at 8 under par 136, Choi Hye-jin (23) and Kim Hyo-joo are tied for 8th at 6 under par 138, and Kim A-rim (both 27) and Choi Woon-jung (32) are tied for 11th at 5 under par 139. The 'eldest sister' Ji Eun-hee (36) is tied for 17th at 4 under par 140, Kim Se-young is tied for 24th at 3 under par 141, and Park Sung-hyun (both 29) are tied for 30th at 2 under par 142, all looking to climb the ranks.