Korean Power in Japan... Three Members Occupy the 'Top 3' Positions

Taeguk Nangja Toto Japan Classic 1R Excitement
Ko Jin-young 2nd, Kim Hyo-joo and Shin Ji-eun Tied 3rd
Home Course Wakimoto Leads, Furue Joins Tied 3rd

Taeguk ladies showed their strength in Japan.

Ko Jin-young

On the 31st, at the Setta Golf Course (par 72, 6616 yards) in Shiga, Japan, three players were included in the 'Top 3' during the first round of the LPGA Tour's 'Asian Swing' Toto Japan Classic (total prize money $2 million). Ko Jin-young surged with 7-under par to secure 2nd place, while Kim Hyo-joo and Shin Ji-eun started fresh, tied for 3rd place (6-under par 66). Korea has only combined for two wins this year on the LPGA Tour.

Home course player Wakimoto Hana (Japan) dominated the top of the leaderboard with 9-under par 63. Ayaka Furue (Japan) and Linn Grant (Sweden) also joined the group tied for 3rd place. Korea's Yoo Hae-ran was tied for 7th (5-under par 67), Bae Seon-woo and Lee Ha-na tied for 15th (3-under par 69), and Shin Ji-ae was tied for 34th (2-under par 70). Lee Mi-hyang was tied for 47th (1-under par 71), while Lee Min-young, Lim Jin-hee, and An Na-rin were tied for 56th (even par 72).

This tournament is the fourth and final event of the 'Asian Swing.' It was co-hosted by the LPGA and the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour. A total of 78 players participated, including 35 from the JLPGA Tour. The competition is held over four days with no cut-off.

The LPGA Tour recently completed the Buick Shanghai from the 10th to 13th in China, the BMW Ladies Championship from the 17th to 20th at Seowon Valley Country Club Seowon Hills Course in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and the Maybank Championship from the 24th to 27th in Malaysia.

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