4 Years Ago Runner-up So-Young Lee "PLK Pacific Links Korea Rematch"

Opening on the 16th at Vietnam Twin Doves Golf Club
Strong lineup including Lee So-young, Lim Hee-jung, Park Hyun-kyung
Various special awards and hole-in-one prizes prepared

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] Lee So-young, the runner-up in 2018, is departing for Vietnam to lift the championship trophy.

Lee So-young. Photo by KLPGA

Lee So-young will participate in the PLK Pacific Links Korea Championship (total prize money of 700 million KRW), the second tournament of the 2023 Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season, held over three days from the 16th at Twin Doves Golf Club (par 72) in Vietnam.

This tournament, held for the first time in three years, has PLK as its new sponsor. The Hyosung Championship, which was held at Twin Doves Golf Club for three years from 2017 to 2019, has resumed with a new title sponsor. The event will feature 88 KLPGA players, 3 players affiliated with the Vietnam Golf Association, and 5 recommended players (2 professionals, 3 amateurs) competing for the champion's title in Ho Chi Minh City, the economic hub of Vietnam.

Lee So-young is a strong contender for the title, having finished as runner-up at the 2018 Hyosung Championship. She is strong at Twin Doves Golf Club, having made the 'Top 10' twice, including one runner-up finish.

Lee So-young said, "My iron shots have always followed well when playing at Twin Doves Golf Club. However, the green play is quite challenging, but I believe that if I can target the greens well, I can achieve good results." Regarding the 'even-year winning jinx,' she added, "This year is the season to break the jinx. In the past, I always aimed for safe play and just to pass the qualifiers, but this year I will play aggressively."

Not only Lee So-young but also 11 players who recorded wins in the 2022 season have declared their participation. Among them are Lim Hee-jung, who ranked 5th in prize money and established herself as a KLPGA Tour powerhouse; Lee Ga-young, who won her first career title at the Dongbu Construction-Korea Land Trust Championship; 'Match Queen' Hong Jeong-min; and two-time champion Jo Ah-yeon.

Although they did not win a trophy last season, skilled players such as Park Hyun-kyung, who advanced to the finals in every tournament she entered, and Choi Ye-rim, who frequently contended for wins, are also participating. Jang Ha-na, the 2018 Korean Investment & Securities Championship winner, is preparing to shake off last season’s slump. Additionally, No Ye-rim, who plays on the U.S. LPGA Tour, has joined the field.

This tournament attracts golf fans’ attention with a variety of special prizes more than ever before. The winner will receive various awards including an honorary membership at Twin Doves Golf Club, a Frederic jewelry set, and a Colombo luxury bag. Also, any player who breaks the course record of 7-under-par 65, set by Thailand’s Parinda Phokan in the second round of the 2017 tournament, will be awarded a Twin Doves Golf Club round usage voucher worth approximately 4 million KRW.

The hole-in-one prizes are also generous. A player who scores a hole-in-one on the 5th hole will receive a Rejuran skincare gift certificate worth 10 million KRW, a 1.3-carat diamond valued at 15 million KRW, and a Bangolf iron set worth 10 million KRW. On the 14th hole, a Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 vehicle worth 70 million KRW is offered as a prize, and a hole-in-one on the 17th hole will earn the player a Pacific Links Korea membership valued at 33 million KRW.

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