Ji-eun Park Gets Down to One More Victory

“The Queen of Birdies, “Park Ji-eun of Nike Golf, broke ground powerfully to her second victory of the LPGA season.

On October 3, at the first round of the Long Drugs Challenge (a million dollar award) of LPGA tour, held at Lincoln Hills Club (Par 72) in California, Park recorded 1 eagle, 5 birdies and 2 bogeys to finish with a score of 5 under par. The leader, Sophie Gustafsson of Sweden, got just one hole before Park. Park, who gained the lead of birdie record at 304 in the season, hit a driver shot over 270 yards, and showed an 89 percent success ration of hitting the green.

“I felt better with my driver and iron shot today. I have added only one victory every year, but more this year. I am fully prepared,” said Park, confidently who has gone through drills to correct her set-up pose before the start-up of this challenge.

Park, who teed-off at the 10th hole, cut three strokes at the 11th hole with an eagle and hit a birdie at the 12th hole. But, she fell back at 13th hole and 15th hole by hitting bogeys in each with successive 3 puts. However, she came up to the leaders, hitting four birdies at the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 8th hole in the second half.

‘Koala’, Park Hee-jung of CJ, who also placed in the top 10 only twice in this season without any victories, is in fifth place, putting her name on the top lists.

‘Winter’s Bride’, Han Hee-won of Fila Korea, Kang Soo-yeon of Astra, Kang Ji-min of CJ who passed the preliminary, recorded a 2 under par, finishing the day in 18th place, all tied up. Park Se-ri of CJ finished the day in 29th place. Song Ah-ri placed in 39th place, and made it into LPGA for the first time since turning professional.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com