'Number 1' Ko Jin-young Takes Lead "Did You See My 7-Under Par Daily Best?"... Hataoka's Battle for Victory (Summary)

Published 23 Apr.2022 12:56(KST)

Day 2 of Dio Implant LA Open: 7-Under Par Surge, Green in 3rd, 'Golf Queen' Park In-bee Tied 6th in Chase

Ko Jin-young is making an iron tee shot on the 18th hole on the second day of the Dio Implant LA Open. Los Angeles, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Tied for 30th → Tied for the lead."

It's a surge by world No. 1 Ko Jin-young (27). On the 23rd (Korean time), at the Wilshire Golf Course in Los Angeles, California, USA (par 71, 6,447 yards), during the second day of the LPGA Tour DIO Implant LA Open (total prize money $1.5 million), she led the leaderboard with a daily best of 7-under-par, quickly taking the top spot (7-under-par 135 strokes). Nasa Hataoka (Japan) joined her in a tie for the lead, while Hannah Green (Australia) is chasing in third place (5-under-par 137 strokes).

Ko Jin-young recorded eight birdies and one bogey. She started strong with a birdie on the 4th hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies on the 7th and 8th holes. Although she had her only bogey on the 9th hole (par 4), she sparked momentum with four consecutive birdies from the 11th to the 14th holes and added another birdie on the 17th hole (par 4). It was somewhat regrettable that her iron shot green hit rate dropped to 61.11% on the first day, resulting in an even-par round. On this day, her pinpoint iron shots stood out, missing the green only twice.

Her green play also demonstrated exceptional power, including 27 ‘stingy putts’. She is poised to secure her second win of the season following last month’s HSBC Women’s World Championship. Moreover, this tournament holds thrilling memories as she finished runner-up in 2018, tied for 5th in 2019, and tied for 3rd last year, making the top 5 in all three appearances. She expressed confidence, saying, "The effects of two weeks of training are gradually showing," and added, "I will show good play in front of the gallery."

Nasa Hataoka is executing a trouble shot on the 1st hole during the second day of the Dio Implant LA Open. Los Angeles, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

Nasa Hataoka’s performance is formidable. After exchanging four birdies and four bogeys in a seesaw battle, she pulled off three consecutive birdies from the 7th to the 9th holes at the end. In Korea, Kang Hye-ji (32) is tied for 4th place (4-under-par 138 strokes). ‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee (34, KB Financial Group) is tied for 6th (3-under-par 139 strokes), and Kim Se-young (29) is tied for 10th (2-under-par 140 strokes). Defending champion Brooke Henderson (Canada) struggled with a 5-over-par on the first day and was ultimately cut from the tournament.