Isomi Leads by One Stroke: "Third Win in Sight"... Im Heejeong in Second Place

Published 06 Nov.2021 18:16(KST)

S-OIL Championship Day 3: Im Hee-jeong Scores 6-Under Par Daily Best, Defending Champ Choi Hye-jin Slows with 1-Under Par

Lee So-mi is teeing off on the 2nd hole on the second day of the S-OIL Championship. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘Two-time champion’ Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) has seized the opportunity for a third victory.

On the 6th, at the Elysian Golf Club in Jeju Island (Par 72, 6,653 yards), the third day of the KLPGA Tour S-OIL Championship (total prize money 700 million KRW) ended with Lee leading by one stroke at 10-under-par 134, having shot 4-under-par for the day. Im Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Trust) is in second place at 9-under-par 135, while another two-time champion Kim Su-ji (25, Dongbu Construction), ‘Hana Financial Group Champion’ Song Ga-eun (21, MG Saemaeul Geumgo), and Kim Woo-jung (23, BC Card) are tied for third at 8-under-par 136, chasing closely behind.

Lee So-mi, who joined the tour in 2019, is a promising next-generation player who claimed her first title last October at the Huencare Ladies Open. She gained momentum by winning the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open in April and secured her second win of the season and third overall at the MBN Ladies Open in August. Starting the day tied for the lead, she made six birdies, though a double bogey on the 9th hole (par 4) was a setback. She took the putter four times, including on the fringe. She is determined to “do her best until the very end.”

‘Second in the Player of the Year race’ Im Hee-jung fired a daily best 6-under-par. She is highly motivated to win this tournament, as only a victory here will allow her to compete with Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) in the final Player of the Year battle at the 2021 season finale SK Shieldus·SK Telecom Championship. Defending champion Choi Hye-jin (22, Lotte) fell back to a tie for 41st place at 1-under-par 143, making title defense practically impossible. Six-time champion Park Min-ji also struggled, finishing tied for 53rd at even par 144.