'Jeju-born' Hyun Se-rin 7-under-par "I love my hometown"... Defending champ Kim Hyo-joo even par

Hyun Se-rin Leads 1R at SK Networks·Seoul Economic Ladies Classic
Bae So-hyun 2nd by 1 Stroke, Jung Yoon-ji, Yoo Hae-ran, Kim Min-ju Tied 3rd
Lee Jeong-eun6 Tied 6th, Prize Money Leader Park Min-ji and Grand Prize Leader Kim Su-ji Tied 19th

Hyun Se-rin is carefully reading the putting line on the 3rd hole on the first day of the SK Networks·Seoul Economic Ladies Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Hyun Se-rin (21), a native of Jeju, showed great enthusiasm in her hometown.

On the 27th, Hyun Se-rin took the lead by shooting 7-under par in the first round of the KLPGA Tour SK Networks·Seoul Economy Ladies Classic (total prize money 800 million KRW) held at Pinx Golf Club (par 72, 6,727 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju. Bae So-hyun (29) is in second place (6-under par 66), and Jung Yoon-ji (22), Yoo Hae-ran (21), and Kim Min-ju (20) are tied for third place (5-under par 67), pursuing the lead.

Hyun Se-rin collected seven birdies without any bogeys. She reduced four strokes in the front nine with a birdie on the first hole, the 10th hole (par 5), consecutive birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, and another birdie on the 16th hole (par 5). She added three more birdies on the 1st, 4th, and 5th holes in the back nine. This is her personal lowest score this year. She powered her game with a green hit rate of 94.4% and 26 putts. Leading by one stroke, she secured her first career victory opportunity.

"I felt at ease coming back to my hometown Jeju after a long time," said Hyun Se-rin. "There was little wind, and the course setup was good. I like fast greens, and today the ball went exactly where I aimed on the greens," she exclaimed. Hyun Se-rin debuted in 2020 and ranked second in rookie points but did not achieve the expected results. Her best performance was third place at the Celltrion Queens Masters last June. Hyun Se-rin vowed, "I will approach the remaining rounds with the mindset of playing as I did today."

‘LPGA member’ Lee Jeong-eun6 (26) started comfortably tied for 6th place (4-under par 68). ‘Top money winner’ Park Min-ji (24) and ‘Player of the Year’ Kim Su-ji (26) are tied for 19th place (2-under par 70), competing fiercely. Lee Ga-young (23) and Ji Han-sol (26) are also in this group. Lim Hee-jeong (22) and Yoo Hyo-ju (25) are tied for 35th place (1-under par 71), and defending champion Kim Hyo-joo (27) finished the first round tied for 48th place (even par 72).

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