Korea Smiles in the Korean-Japan Golf Competition

Even piercing cold winds couldn’t break the will of victory for the Korean female golfers.

It was the final round of the 2003 Woori Finance-Pinx Cup Korea-Japan Women’s Pro Golf Competition (total prize $500,000) held at Pinx GC (par 72) in Jeju.

After pressuring Japan by gaining 16 winning points (7 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses) in the single hole match play (which contends for victory at each hole) on the previous day, The Koreans added 12 more points (5 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses) in the stroke match play (which contends for victory with final strokes) in which 12 players competed.

With this, Korea acquired a total of 28 points (12 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses) to defeat Japan (20 points; 8 wins, 4 draws and 12 losses) by eight points, making this two consecutive years of triumphs. So far, each country has won twice out of four competitions. Prize money of $260,000 for the champion went to Korea, $130,000 to Japan, four golfers who won twice, including Ko Woo-soon (39), shared $110,000 as a special prize.

Victory or defeat was already determined at the sixth game (Kim Young-Suzuki Kaori). Taking 23 points with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the previous five games, Korea gained 25 points as Kim Young beat Suzuki to capture victory regardless of outcome of the remaining six games.

Kim Young, leading Suzuki by two strokes by the 17th hole, faced a crisis at the 18th hole when her driver tee-shot was pushed by the wind and the ball fell to the right side edge of a water hazard. It was difficult for her to attempt to hit directly onto green, and in addition, a stream was in front of green.

Kim Young showed her masterly course management skill as a member of the U.S. LPGA tour this time. She reached the fairway and recorded a bogey with a 2-putt after a 3-on the green to escape Suzuki’s chase by one stroke as Suzuki only saved par.

Meanwhile, the leader of Korea, Pak Se-ri (CJ), dominated the ace of Japan, Hoodo Yuri (27). Pak Se-ri recorded four birdies, the most among the 24 players, to mark the only under par score (2-under par 70 strokes) that day.

The captain of Korea, Koo Ok-hee (47), played in the first group with the ease of the last day’s overwhelming victory despite being a veteran player, accomplished a 3-meter par putt at the 18th hole and scored (75 strokes) the same as Kimura Toshimi (35) to inspire younger players with the desire for winning.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com