"Silent Power" Lee So-mi "6-Under Par Surge"... Defending Champ Park Min-ji 1-Over Par (Summary)

by Roh Woolae

Published 21 Apr.2022 18:46(KST)

Nexen·Saintnine Mazters Day 1: 1 Eagle and 4 Birdies 'Flawless Play', Yu Hae-ran Tied 4th, Park Hyun-kyung and Lim Hee-jung Tied 6th

Lee So-mi is reading the putting line on the 11th hole on the first day of the Nexen Saintnine Masters. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Lee So-mi (23, SBI Savings Bank) is quietly strong.

She debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2019 and has accumulated 3 career wins. In October 2020, she achieved her first career victory at the Huen Care Ladies Open, and in April 2021, she became a multi-champion by winning both the season opener Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open and the August Daeyu Winia·MBN Ladies Open. She has been on the rise, ranking 10th in prize money in 2020 (400 million KRW) and 6th last year (758.4 million KRW). Her average driving distance is 245.56 yards (12th), greens in regulation rate is 76.72% (11th), and putting average is 30.35 strokes (27th).

Consistency is her strength. Last year, she entered the 'Top 10' a remarkable 12 times. On the 10th, defending her title at the Lotte Rent-a-Car Ladies Open, she finished as runner-up. On the final 18th hole (par 5), despite sending her second shot near the green, a mistake on the approach shot resulted in a par, placing her 1 stroke behind Jang Soo-yeon (28, Dongbu Construction) in 2nd place. Last week, she also performed well as an invitee at the LPGA Tour's Lotte Championship in Hawaii, finishing 5th.

Lee So-mi, who had not yet adjusted to the time difference, soared. On the 21st, at the Gaya Golf Club in Gimhae, Gyeongnam (par 72, 6813 yards), the venue for the 3rd round of the 2022 season Nexen·Saintnine Mazterz (total prize money 800 million KRW), she shot 6 under par on the first day to dominate the top of the leaderboard. She was quiet in the front nine with only one birdie on the 13th hole (par 3), but showed strong finishing power with a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4), an eagle on the 3rd hole (par 5), and consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes. She is tied for the lead by 1 stroke, aiming for her 4th career win.

"After the long putting eagle, I caught the momentum and was able to make consecutive birdies," said Lee So-mi. "I like the fast greens at Gaya Golf Club," she added, "I will work hard to keep this feeling tomorrow as well." She continued, "My condition is not very good, so I came out aiming to qualify for the finals, but I got a decent score on the first day," and expressed her determination, "I will focus and challenge for the win." Rookie Son Ye-bin (20, Nike) and Jeon Hyo-min (23, Dohui Edge) joined the co-lead.

Park Min-ji is putting on the 2nd hole on the first day of the Nexen Saintnine Masters. Photo by KLPGA

Yoo Hae-ran (21, Daol Financial Group) is tied for 4th at 5 under par, while Park Hyun-kyung (22, Korea Land Trust), Park Gyeol (26, Samil Pharmaceutical), and Lim Hee-jung (22, Korea Land Trust) started comfortably tied for 6th at 4 under par. 'Mediheal Champ' Park Ji-young (26, Korea Land Trust) is tied for 12th at 3 under par, and Jang Soo-yeon and Jang Ha-na (30, BC Card) are tied for 21st at 2 under par. Defending champion Park Min-ji (24, NH Investment & Securities) made 3 birdies but 4 bogeys, finishing tied for 64th at 1 over par.