Koreans March Toward Evian Masters Title

Korean ladies are marching toward the top position in Evian Masters, a major pro golf championship.

Almost one third of the 90 participating golfers are Koreans or players of Korean heritage. Eun Hee Ji led the tournament in the first round. In the second round, Jin Joo Hong topped the leaderboard. Then, Jeong Jang hopped up to the second spot in the third round.

Individual players may change day in and out. But Koreans have occupied the upper area of the board. It seems like Koreans are playing by the sheer dominance of their numbers.

Jang finished the third round with an even par. In total so far, she recorded a 4-under 212. Jang last won a LPGA championship title in June 2006. She is hoping to win her season first and career third title.

A slow starter, Ji Yai-shin has been pulling up her pace and ranking recently. She showed a disappointing 1-over 73 in the first day. But she cut her score by two strokes the next day, and did it against yesterday. Now she ranks third.

Il Mi-chung tied with Annika Sorenstam at 6th, and 2002 second-spot winner Mi Hyung finished the third round at 9th.

Jin Joo-hong, who led the tournament in the second round, slid back to the 17th spot on the leaderboard.

Recording an under-par play in the previous day, Michelle Wie dropped to the bottom among the 72 players who passed the cutoff. Wie confessed, “It was a terrible day. I had no problem with my injured wrist. But I couldn’t make it my way.”

The oldest participating golfer, Juli Inkster, turned around from her poor performance in the first round and finished the third as the top-place winner. She recorded a 6-under 210 in total.

why@donga.com