Lee Ga-na Wins Her First Victory With Hole in One in Final Round

“Super Rookie” Lee Ga-na (18) won her first-ever victory at the firth Lordland Cup and Maekyung Women’s Open (prize money: 200 million won) by making a hole in one in the final round.

Thanks to the hole in one in which Lee’s seven iron tee shot went straight into the cup at the 16th hole (par 3, 159 yards) in the final round of the championship held at Jeju Lordland GC (par 72) on September 4, Lee recorded a one-under par 71 and won the championship with a total score of seven-under par 209.

Lee was the leader the previous day, but she was tied for second place on this day by one shot after losing two shots by the 15th hole. However, thanks to a miraculous hole in one, Lee moved up to first place straight away, and won the match with a birdie at the par-four 18th hole.

Lee Ga-na was an unknown player when she was an amateur player, though she showed potential by finishing tour events in the top 10 three times, including the fifth place in the first match of her five matches in the second division last year, ranking 13th, and 14th at Korean Women’s Open and XCANVAS Women’s Open, respectively.

With this victory, Lee received prize money of 36 million won, and a Mercedes worth 48 million won as an additional prize for her hole in one.

Kim Ju-yeon (KTF), the champion of the U.S. Women’s Open this year, and Choi Na-yeon (SK Telecom), the champion of the Lakeside Women’s Open showed their latent energy to tie for fifth place with a four-under par 212 and by establishing a course record with a seven-under par 65, respectively.

Meanwhile, the champion of the British Women’s Open, Jang Jeong (25), finished the match tied for 11th place with a two-under par 214 after losing three shots in the last half alone, and recording a one over par 73.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com