Lee Mi-Na Won the First Championship

“Call me ‘Super Rookie”. She is a new golfer, but becomes bigger.

‘Dangerous rookie’, Lee Mi-Na (21. Lee Dong-soo Fashion) won the first championship of her pro career through continuous lead for 4 days.

The third round 3 of the 2002 Ours Mall Invitational Golf Tournament (Total Prize Money 150 million won) at the East Course of Yongin Asiana Country Club in Gyeonggi on August 22.

Marked the first place in the first and second round, Lee Mi-Na won the championship by recording 6 under par, 3 birdies, 1 bogey and 1 double bogey at the Asiana CC. She beat Yeon Yong-Nam(31). She won the total prize money of 27 million won.

Lee Mi-Na, who won the 2001 Sports Toto Women’s Open by beating in extra holes as an amateur, had total prize money of 5,818,6667 won finishing in top 5 for 4 tournaments including once championship for this season. She marked the 2nd place from the 5th place at the money ranking last week. There is a difference of 15,000,000 won between her and the prize money leader of this season Jung Il-mi, who finished the round tie for the thirteen place with the prize money of 1,932,500 won. She will be selected as the Rookie of the year and will conquer the Korean pro-golf if she continues to be on rise.

Lee Mi-Na said “I am so happy to win the first championship of my pro career. I will challenge the US Tour next year.”

Reducing two strokes, Lee Mi-Na committed the double bogie of the day at the 12nd hole (par 4); however, she collected a birdie at the 16th hole (par 3), and permitted the joint leader of Yeon Yong-Nam who reduced six strokes.

However, she got the lead in 16th hole (par 3), and then won the championship through par save.

The third place is Shim Eui-Yeong (42) and the fourth place is Kang Bo-gyung (27). Kim Ju-mi (Sehwa Girls’ High School), who represents Korea at the Busan Asian Games next month, Bae Gyung-eun (CJ 39 Shopping) and Seo A-Ram of ‘Master golfer’ won the fifth place in this tournament.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com