A Battle Among Fellow Korean LPGA Golfers

Following the victory of senior player Kim Mi-hyun (30) in the LPGA SemGroup Championships last week, there is a chance a fellow Korean player could grab another LPGA championship for the second week in a row.

This time the champion could be one of the juniors.

Lee Jee-young (22) is leading a tournament at 11 under par after she shot an 8-under par 63 during the third round of the LPGA’s Michelob Ultra Open golf tournament in Virginia. Eight-under par 63 ties the records set by Kim Williams in 2004 and Lee Jung-yeon (28) in the first round two days ago.

Lee, who ranks second on the LPGA in this season, hit a long shot and shot eight bogey-free birdies by succeeding with her iron shots at the flag, which brought applause from the crowd. Lee is going for her first victory since making her tour debut in 2005.

Lee Jee-young said, “Thanks to my driver, I did well on the next shot as well. In addition, changing my putter has helped me to play well.”

Lee Jung-yeon, who held the lead until the second round thanks to setting the course record on the first day, dropped to second place with a lackluster 1-over 72, but she is still in position to reverse her ranking on the last day. Lee Jung-yeon, who has been playing 6 years on the LPGA tour, has already ranked second in events four times.

Lee Mee-na (26) shot a 7-under par 206 for a share of third place with Japanese player Ai Miyazato, American player Paula Creamer, and Suzann Pettersen from Norway. As three players hold the lead among the top 5, the fourth round is expected to give Korean players a run for winning.

Meanwhile, last year’s rookie of the year Lee Seon-wha shot a 6-under 65 to put her in eighth place, while Kim Mee-hyun ranked in 12th place with a 4-under 209.

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