'Overseas Player' Choi Hye-jin "Domestic Outing"... Marching Toward 11th Career Win

KLPGA Tour E1 Charity Open Participation
Jung Yoonji Aims for 2nd Consecutive Win, Park Hyunkyung's First Victory Challenge
Bang Sinshil, Park Jiyoung, Yoo Soyeon Compete, Sung Yujin Takes a Break

World No. 24 Choi Hye-jin returns to compete domestically.

Choi Hye-jin will participate in the 11th E1 Charity Open (total prize money 900 million KRW, winner's prize 162 million KRW) held on the 26th at Seongmunan Country Club in Wonju, Gangwon Province (par 72, 6,522 yards) on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. Currently playing on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, Choi Hye-jin is making her first domestic appearance in five months since tying for 18th place at the Hana Financial Group Singapore Ladies Open last December.

'Overseas player' Choi Hye-jin challenges for her 11th career win on the domestic stage at the KLPGA Tour E1 Charity Open.

Choi Hye-jin is a player who has won a total of 10 titles on the KLPGA Tour, including two as an amateur. She won the Player of the Year award for three consecutive years starting in 2018 and achieved an impressive five wins in 2019. In December 2021, she passed the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series and moved to the United States the following year. Last year, she finished in the top 10 ten times, including a tie for second at the CP Women's Open, securing second place in the Rookie of the Year points standings.

This year, Choi has competed eight times but has yet to break into the top 10. Her best finishes are a tie for 13th at the Lotte Championship in April and the Cognizant Founders Cup in May. At this tournament, Choi aims to claim her first domestic victory in two years and six months since winning the season finale SK Telecom·ADT Caps Championship in November 2020.

Defending champion Jung Yoon-ji is eyeing a consecutive win. She said, "Winning after a five-hole playoff last year brought me a lot of recognition and support, which has been a great strength for me until now," adding, "I will do my best to make people think of Jung Yoon-ji when they hear about the E1 Charity Open." Park Hyun-kyung, last week's runner-up at the Doosan Match Play, is also dreaming of her first win of the season. Park said, "I was worried about my stamina, but it’s better than I expected," and added, "I will play with a joyful heart without the burden of winning."

‘Super rookie’ Bang Shin-sil is hoping for an upset. She has grown enough to compete in the champion group twice in four tournaments this year. Bang finished 4th at the KLPGA Championship and 3rd at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship. This year’s champion group, including Park Ji-young, Lee Jung-min, Lee Ye-won, Lee Joo-mi, Choi Eun-woo, and Park Bo-gyeom, will challenge to secure their second wins. LPGA members Yoo So-yeon, Bae Kyung-eun, and Sung Eun-jung will also compete as recommended players. Doosan Match Play winner Sung Yoo-jin will not participate due to thumb pain.

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