3 Consecutive Losses Park Minji vs Multi-Champion Bang Sinshil "Seolhaewon Clash"

Celltrion Queens Masters Pride Battle
Prize and Grand Prize Winner 1st Park Ji-young, Match Queen Sung Yoo-jin Ready to Compete

‘3 Consecutive Wins’ vs ‘Multiple Championships’

'Korea's No. 1' Park Min-ji challenges a three-peat at the Celltrion Queens Masters.

‘Domestic No. 1’ Park Min-ji and ‘Rising Star’ Bang Shin-sil face off in a battle of pride. The Celltrion Queens Masters of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW, winner’s prize 216 million KRW) will be held on the 9th at The Legend Course at Seolhaewon in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do (par 72, 6,678 yards). A total of 123 players will compete in a 54-hole stroke play over three days. The prize money has been increased by 200 million KRW this year, further expanding the scale.

Park Min-ji has swept 12 wins over the past two years but has yet to win this year. Her best result so far is 3rd place at the Mediheal-Korea Daily Championship in April. As the defending champion, Park Min-ji will achieve a three-peat if she wins this tournament. Winning the same KLPGA Tour event three consecutive times is a rare record held by only four players: the late Ku Ok-hee, Park Se-ri, Kang Soo-yeon, and Kim Hae-rim.

Park Min-ji was strong at Seolhaewon, setting a course record of 65 strokes under 7-under par last year. She said, "Achieving two consecutive wins was not an easy task," adding, "It is an honor just to be in a position to challenge this great record." She continued, "My current condition and shot feel have improved a lot," and expressed her determination, saying, "I will grit my teeth and compete in this tournament to achieve the record of three consecutive wins."

'Rising star' Bang Sin-sil aims for her second win of the season at the Celltrion Queens Masters.

Bang Shin-sil, who has recently been the center of attention, will participate in her first tournament since securing a full tour card. She secured her spot on the regular tour for the remainder of this year and the 2025 season by winning the E1 Charity Open, which ended on the 28th of last month. Bang Shin-sil was ranked 40th in the seed list and could only participate in some tournaments, but she demonstrated exceptional presence by finishing 4th at the KLPGA Championship in April, 3rd at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship last month, and winning the E1 Charity Open, earning her full tour status.

Bang Shin-sil surpassed 200 million KRW in total prize money (278.89 million KRW) in just five first-division tour events, setting the record for the fewest tournaments to reach this milestone. She also has the potential to break the ‘minimum four hundred million KRW in prize money’ record. Currently, Park In-bi and Choi Hye-jin hold the record with 10 tournaments. Bang Shin-sil said, "I am more excited and expectant because this is my first regular tour event after obtaining a full tour card," and added, "Since I receive a lot of interest and support from many people, I want to fully showcase my strengths in this tournament."

Park Ji-young is a strong favorite for the championship. She leads in prize money (445.75 million KRW), points for the Grand Prize (266 points), and average score (70.17 strokes). Park Ji-young said, "My shot feel was the best earlier this year, and it feels like that sensation is coming back," adding, "I will do my best to achieve multiple wins in a season, something I have never done before." Other players eyeing their second win of the season include ‘Match Queen’ Sung Yoo-jin, Lee Ye-won, Lee Da-yeon, Lee Jung-min, Lee Ju-mi, Choi Eun-woo, Park Bo-gyeom, and Lim Jin-hee.

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