KLPGA hosts a golf tournament in Vietnam

The Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) tournament is held in Vietnam for the first time in its history.

It is the Dalat at 1200 Ladies Championship to be held at Dalat Golf Club (par 72) on Friday. The KLPGA created the event to target the Southeast Asian market and provide local golf prospects with an opportunity to experience high quality tournament.

Among 108 participants are 68 Korean golfers. The remainders are from Vietnam, China, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and Hong Kong. The course is 1,200 to 1,600 meters high from the sea level, making the driving distance longer by 20 to 30 yards compared to a level course. Players might face difficulty in calculating the distance.

Kim Bo-Kyung (Yojin Construction) said, “The course, green speed, wind, temperature and food, all of them are unfamiliar.” Who will be the first to adapt to the new environment would be a key element in deciding the winner.

Lee Jung-min (BC Card), 24, who made a come-from-behind victory last week in the World Ladies Championship in Dongguan, China, seeks another win with her accurate iron shot. Koh Jin-young (Nefs) who tied for second place in the championship might have an advantage because she had a training in Vietnam. Ji Han-sol (Hoban Construction) is also notable as she shows an upward performance.

Lee Hyo-rin, who is mentioned as a powerful new player award candidate this season, topping the tournament to select seed players, makes her debut tour in Vietnam. Park Ji-yeon (Samcheolly), Kim A-rim (Hite Jinro), and Choi Min-gyeong (Hite Jinro) are thought to be new players with strong potential.

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