KLPGA Tour Domestic Opening Event... 'Unique Foreign Player Power'

Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open Day 1: Foreign Players Perform Well
China's Li Shuying at 3 Under Par, Sweden's Grant at 1 Under Par

On the 6th, the first round of the 2023 season Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour's domestic opening event, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open (total prize money 800 million KRW), was held at Lotte Skyhill CC in Seogwipo, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,395 yards). A rare scene unfolded as two foreign players participated and demonstrated formidable skills.

First, the "No. 1 foreign player" Li Shuying (China) caught attention. Despite harsh conditions with strong winds, she made four birdies (one bogey) for a 3-under-par 69. Li Shuying is a player who benefited from the KLPGA significantly lowering the entry barriers for foreign players. She is the first foreign golfer to enter the regular tour by going through the same stages as domestic players after the full opening of the qualifying tournament for associate members and the jump (third-tier) tour.

Rishu Ying is making an iron shot on the 11th hole of the first round of the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Li Shuying was born in China and moved to Korea at the age of eight. Her mother is a Chinese national of Korean ethnicity, and her father is a Korean national and a golf instructor. Li Shuying attended school in Korea from elementary through high school and has no difficulty speaking Korean. After progressing through the Jump Tour and Dream Tour, she secured a full tour card by ranking 17th in the regular tour qualifying tournament.

Li Shuying exclaimed, "Actually, the practice round was canceled yesterday due to bad weather, so I entered the first round without ever playing the course. I think playing safely with the mindset of testing the course as much as possible worked out well." She added, "Since last year, the KLPGA opened its doors, allowing me to enter the regular tour. I think I was very lucky."

Li Shuying also revealed her connection with In-Running (China), last week's winner of the LPGA Tour's DIO Implant LA Open. She said, "I am close with In-Running unnie. We played together in a Chinese amateur tournament. I thought she was good even then, but I was surprised to see her win on the LPGA Tour." She added, "It made me want to do well in Korea too, and someday I want to challenge the American stage."

Lynn Maria Grant is teeing off on the 2nd hole of the first round at the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

Lin Maria Grant (Sweden), a strong player on the Ladies European Tour (LET), also showed an impressive performance. She played alongside five-time KLPGA champion Lim Hee-jeong and last year's Rookie of the Year Lee Ye-won. She recorded a 1-under-par 71 with two birdies and one bogey.

Ranked 22nd in the world, Grant won four tournaments on the LET last year, capturing both the Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year awards. She finished second in the LET money rankings last year, earning an automatic entry to the KLPGA Tour. Her participation in this tournament was not by invitation from the KLPGA or the event organizers but by her own request. Grant will also compete in the Mediheal-Korea Daily Championship next week following this event.

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