"3 Consecutive Losses" Park Minji: "This Time, I'll Claim the National Title"

DB Group's 37th Korea Women's Open Victory Challenge
'Rising Star' Bang Sin-sil Aims for Second Win of the Season
Defending Champion Lim Hee-jeong, Lee Ye-won, Seong Yu-jin Join the Field

'Claiming the National Title.'

This is the goal of Park Min-ji, the 'No. 1 player in Korea.' The DB Group 37th Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1.2 billion KRW, winner's prize 300 million KRW), held over four days from the 15th at Rainbow Hills Country Club in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk (par 72, 6712 yards), is the battleground. She is determined to reclaim the championship trophy for the first time in two years since 2021. Last week, Park Min-ji achieved a remarkable feat by winning her third consecutive title at the KLPGA Tour Celltrion Queens Masters, becoming the fifth player in KLPGA Tour history to do so.

Park Min-ji aims for a major victory at the 37th DB Group Korea Women's Open.

Park Min-ji has been strong at Rainbow Hills Country Club, where the tournament is held. She won and placed third in two previous Korea Women's Opens held at this course. Although the course is not long, it is difficult to lower scores without precise and strategic play. Hidden traps throughout the course can cause major setbacks if not navigated carefully. Park Min-ji's concentration is exceptional, which is why she thrives on this challenging course. In the third round of 2021, she set a course record with an 8-under-par 64.

If Park Min-ji wins this time, she will move up to third place in all-time wins with 18 victories, closing in on joint leaders Gu Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae (both with 20 wins). In the first round, Park will play alongside defending champion Lim Hee-jeong and 2019 winner Lee Da-yeon.

Rising star Bang Shin-sil is a strong contender for the title. Last month, she caused a sensation by winning the E1 Charity Open, her first victory in five tournaments. She consistently competes for the championship at every event, powered by her formidable long drives. Not only her driving distance but also her greens in regulation and average score rank first, placing her among the strongest players on the KLPGA Tour. Bang Shin-sil will start the first round with last year's Player of the Year Kim Su-ji and rookie award contender Hwang Yu-min.

Lim Hee-jeong's attempt at a second consecutive win is also a point of interest. She aims to defend her title for the first time in 19 years since Song Bo-bae, who won in 2003 and 2004. Other dark horses include Lee Ye-won, winner of the domestic season opener Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open, 'Match Queen' Sung Yoo-jin, money list and Player of the Year leader Park Ji-young, and Park Hyun-kyung. Kim Min-sol, Lim Ji-yoo, and Yoo Hyun-jo, who will compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games this September, will also participate to test their skills against their senior counterparts.

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