'Domestic No. 1' Park Minji "Recreate the Legend GO"... Park Jiyoung "Going for 2 Consecutive Wins"

by Roh Woolae

Published 19 Apr.2022 07:54(KST)

Nexen and Saintnine Challenge 2 Consecutive Wins at Mazters, Lee So-mi a Top Contender, Lee So-young and Lee Seung-yeon Join as 'All-Time Champs'

'Korea's No. 1' Park Min-ji challenges for a second consecutive win at Nexen·Saintnine Mazters.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the second consecutive title challenge for Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities), the 'No. 1 in Korea.'

The Nexen Saintnine Mazters (total prize money 800 million KRW), the 3rd round of the 2022 KLPGA Tour season, will be held on the 21st at Gaya Golf Club in Gimhae, Gyeongnam (par 72, 6,813 yards). For Park Min-ji, this is the starting point of her '6-win legend.' Last year, she started the final day tied for 3rd place, one stroke behind, tied with Jang Ha-na (30, BC Card) at 10 under par 278, and won with a 'winning par' on the second hole of the playoff at the 18th hole (par 4), making it her 'promised land.'

Since that victory, she has added an impressive five more wins, including one major, dominating the KLPGA Tour. She swept not only the most wins (6) but also the prize money queen title (1.52137 billion KRW) and the Player of the Year award (680 points), setting a historic record by surpassing 1.5 billion KRW in prize money for the first time in a season. During the off-season, she focused on improving her short game, which was relatively lacking, in California, USA, raising expectations for this year's performance. However, she also experienced the misfortune of being hampered by COVID-19.

After withdrawing from the season opener, the Lotte Rent-a-Car Women's Open held two weeks ago in Jeju, she made a late comeback last week at the Mediheal Korea Daily News Championship. She finished tied for 27th place (even par 288) in her first tournament of the season as a warm-up. She confessed, "I haven't found my shot feel yet," and added, "Honestly, I was very nervous." She continued, "I want to win multiple times again this year, but first, I want to get one win," and expressed her determination, saying, "I will start over with a new mindset from the beginning."

'Mediheal Champ' Park Ji-young aims for a 2-win streak at Nexen·Saintnine Mazters.

It is the second consecutive win attempt for Park Ji-young (26, Korea Land & Housing Trust). She is on an upswing after a commanding 6-stroke victory (18 under par 270) at the Mediheal Korea Daily News Championship. She has shown peak form, maintaining the top of the leaderboard for four days. Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank) is also a strong contender for the title. She performed well last week, finishing 5th (5 under par 283) at the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship in the USA. Former champions including Lee So-young (25, Lotte) and Lee Seung-yeon (24, SK Networks) have also joined the field.