Shin Ji-ae, 1-Stroke Runner-Up at JLPGA Tour KKT Cup

Akie Iwai, Comeback Victory

Shin Ji-ae finished as the runner-up at the 2023 season Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour KKT Cup Vantelin Ladies Open (total prize money of 100 million yen).

Last year, Shin Ji-ae participated in the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open.
[Photo by Hana Financial Group Singapore Women's Open Organizing Committee]

On the 16th, Shin Ji-ae shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final third round of the tournament held at Kumamoto Airport Country Club in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan (par 72, 6,523 yards), with 2 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey. She finished the tournament tied for 2nd place with a total score of 6-under-par 210, one stroke behind Akie Iwai (Japan, 7-under-par 209).

Earlier, Shin Ji-ae had won the season-opening 2023 JLPGA Tour event, the Daikin Orchid Ladies Tournament, and was aiming for her second victory of the season but missed the chance to claim the title. She led alone by one stroke over Iwai, who was in second place after two rounds, but lost strokes with a double bogey on the 11th hole (par 5) and a bogey on the 13th hole (par 3), allowing Iwai, who shot even par, to overtake her.

The winner, Iwai, born in 2002, claimed her first victory on the JLPGA Tour. The winner's prize money was 10.8 million yen (approximately 176 million KRW). Additionally, Jeon Mi-jeong finished tied for 26th place (1-under-par 215), and Hwang Ah-reum placed tied for 29th (even par 216).

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