Lee Min-ji celebrates with her arms raised following winning the final day of the US Women’s Open held at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA on the 6th. [AP = 연합뉴스]The US Women’s Open, the ‘major event’, which opened the era of a total prize of 10 million dollars for the first time in women’s golf tournament history, ended with the victory of Australian compatriot Lee Min-ji.
The 4th round of the final day of the US Women’s Open was held at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (par 71) in Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA on the 6th (Korean time). Lee Min-ji, who started as a solo leader three shots ahead of 2nd place, was unable to reduce the number of at-bats with four birdies and four bogeys that day, and recorded a total of 13-under 271, but beat Mina Harigae (USA) by four strokes and held the trophy. It was her eighth career win and her second major championship win.
It is an unforgettable day for Lee Min-ji. First of all, the winning score is a new record for the lowest hitting 72 holes in U.S. Women’s Open history. The previous record was 272 strokes by Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) in 1996, Julie Inkster (USA) in 1999 and Inji before 2015. In addition, Lee Min-ji became the third Australian national to win two or more major championships, following Carrie Webb (7 wins) and Jan Stevenson (3 wins).
Lee Min-ji said, “I’ve wanted to win a championship since I was little, and I’ve achieved my dream. I can’t believe it.” “The trophies that Webb, Lorena Ochoa (Mexico), and Sorenstam lifted seemed to look great.”
More importantly, the pockets became thicker.
The winner of this tournament, which offered the highest prize money in a single women’s golf tournament, was a whopping $1.8 million (regarding 2.25 billion won). Lee Min-ji rose to the top of the prize money ranking by increasing the season prize money to $2625,849 (regarding 3.28 billion won). That’s a huge prize This is just eight times the prize money of $225,000 for BOH LPGA Match Play Champion Ji Eun-hee. It is also more than the prize pool of the immediately following Shopright LPGA Classic ($1.75 million).
Hana Financial Group, which has supported Lee Min-ji for eight years, also laughed. Hana Financial Group, which sponsors 18 players, produced 5 champions from the most prestigious major championships following the news of winning Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Ataya Titikun (Thailand), Eun-shin Park, and Sang-hyun Park this year, and the marketing effect was outstanding. .
Unfortunately, the Korean players’ attempt to win the major failed in this tournament as well. ‘Rookie’ Hye-jin Choi ranked third and Jin-young Ko, the world’s No. 1 soloist, ranked fourth. In addition, Kim Se-young finished 14th and Ji Eun-hee tied 15th.
Korean players have not won seven consecutive majors since Aram Kim won the tournament in 2020. It is the first time in 11 years since seven consecutive tournaments, from the 2009 British Open to the 2011 LPGA Championship. Above all, the US Women’s Open is even more disappointing because it has won so many titles that it is called ‘the garden for Korean players’ championships.” Starting with Se-ri Pak in 1998 and A-rim Kim in 2020, a total of 10 players recorded 11 victories. ‘Golden Career Grand Slammer’ Inbee Park also lifted the trophy twice. If Korean players fail to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the third major tournament of the season, which will start on the 23rd, they will set a record of ‘eight consecutive major draws’ for the first time in 14 years since 2006-2008.
Still, she took it. Hyejin Choi’s third place prize is a whopping $685,000 (regarding 850 million won). That’s more than the prize money of any competition. Jinyoung Ko also held $48,225 (regarding 600 million won) in her hands.
Even players who did not make it to the top 10 were relieved of their disappointment with a large prize money. Solo 14th place Kim Se-young received $187,166 (regarding 230 million won), while Jeon In-ji and Ji Eun-hee in 14th place received $ 151,730 (regarding 190 million won), respectively.
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