Park Ji-eun, Birdie Queen As We Expected

Park Ji-eun (Nike Golf) and Pak Se-ri (CJ), the pillars of the Korean Ladies’ Golf, showed us that veterans can play energetically, but “domestic player” Ahn Shi-hyun (19 years old, Kolon) took the surprising first place lead to cause a sensation.

On October 31, the first round of CJ Nine Bridges Classic, the U.S. LPGA Tour (Total award $12.5 million), was held at Jeju Club Nine Bridge (par 72).

As the wind died down under the sunny weather, Park Ji-eun (Nike Golf), who is aiming for her second victory of the season in this tournament, scored a 6-under par with one eagle, 6 birdies, and 2 bogies as she took sole possession of second place. She is just one stroke behind Ahn Shi-hyun, who tied the course record 7-under par (65 strokes) that Pak Se-ri hit last year.

Park Ji-eun, lowered her score by one stroke until the 8th hole, hit a third shot with a 58-degree lobbing wedge, and the ball fell on the green and straight into the cup to make a lucky eagle at the 9th hole (par 5, 460 yards).

At the 10th hole, par 4, Park Ji-eun’s third shot was hit short due to the gallery’s disturbance so she scored a bogey, but she got caught up on her play in one push at the last moment. From the 15th hole (par 4) to 18th hole (par 5), she hit consecutive birdies to jump up the standings sharply. Her fantastic performance showed why she is called “Birdie Queen.”

After finishing the round, she entered the interview room with a bright look and said, “Since the weather is good, I tried to hit aggressively to lower the score and with not much thinking. I am satisfied with the results, and I was lucky.”

Even though defending champion Pak Se-ri was having trouble with her tee shots, she hit one eagle and five birdies but also hit two bogeys and one double bogey. Pak finished the day tied for 6th place with Kang Soo-yun (Astra) and Shin Hyun-joo (Fila Korea) with 69 strokes. At the 18th hole, Pak Se-ri succeeded in getting on the green in two strokes, exploiting her long drive capability within four meters from the cup and putted it in to get an eagle to finish the game with good grace.

Rookie Ahn Shi-hyun, who jumps to the domestic tour this year, performed almost perfectly with seven birdies and no bogeys. “Super Peanut” Kim Mi-hyun (KTF) scored a 4-under par, 68 strokes and was tied in 4th place with Laura Davies (England).

Amateur Michelle Wie (14 years old), a special invitation player, scored a 13-over par, 85 strokes, to finish last among the 69 players.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com