Lee Yewon Cruises in Opener... Marches Toward Second Straight Title

Victory in the First Round of the Doosan Matchplay Group Stage
Dominant Performance: Lee Yewon Defeats Lee Sehee by Five Holes
Rookie Choi Jungwon Causes Upset with Win Over Ko Ji-won

Defending champion Lee Yewon has successfully cleared her first hurdle.

On May 13, at the Nature·Garden Course (par 72, 6,503 yards) of the Ladena Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Lee Yewon defeated Lee Sehee by five holes in the first match of Group 5 during the opening day of the Doosan Matchplay group stage on the KLPGA Tour (total prize money: 1 billion won). With this victory, Lee Yewon earned 1 point and will face Kim Woojeong in her second match. Kim Woojeong recorded a draw in her first match against Lee Chaeun.

Ye-won Lee is teeing off on the 1st hole of the first round of the Doosan Match Play group stage. Provided by KLPGA

Lee Yewon commented, "My putting felt good, which I think led to the win," adding, "There are still many rounds to go before I can reach the final. I want to continue playing calmly, just like today."

Park Hyunkyung, the winner of this tournament in 2024, also defeated Jung Soyee by four holes in her first match in Group 13. Park Hyunkyung will face Seo Eojin, who failed to earn any points after losing to Shin Dain, in her second match. Park Hyunkyung stated, "I will prepare hard so that I can deliver a good performance through the weekend."

Last year’s Player of the Year, Yoo Hyunjoo, also secured a win against Jo Hyerim. Park Jooyoung defeated Lee Jungmin, the 2010 tournament champion, while Cho Ahyeon beat the 2023 champion, Sung Yoojin, by three holes. Bang Shinsil won against Kim Jisoo by one hole after a closely contested match.

Kim Minseon and An Jihyun were unable to determine a winner after 18 holes and thus split the points, earning 0.5 points each. An upset also occurred: rookie Choi Jungwon defeated Ko Ji-won, the winner of this year’s The Siena Open, by two holes. In the group stage, which is divided into 16 groups, only the top player from each group advances to the round of 16.

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