‘World No. 1’ Jinyoung Ko and Hyejin Choi tied for 4th place
[AP=연합뉴스]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kwon Hoon = Australian Korean Lee Min-ji (26) is close to winning the US Women’s Open (total prize money of $10 million).
In the third round of the tournament held at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club (par 71) in Southern Pines, North Carolina, USA on the 5th (Korea time) on the 5th (Korean time), Lee Min-ji took the lead alone with a mid-total 13-under 200 by hitting a 4-under 67.
In the second round, Lee Min-ji, who beat Mina Harigae (USA), who was the co-leader, by three strokes in the second round, increased the chances of winning the championship prize of $1.8 million.
Lee Min-ji, who is ranked 4th in the world, has climbed to the top of the LPGA tour seven times so far, and won the first major event at the Amundi Evian Championship last year.
The most recent win was at the Cognitive Founders Cup last month.
The 200 hit recorded by Lee Min-ji is a new record for the minimum hit at 54 holes in the US Women’s Open. The previous record was 201 by Julie Ingster (USA) in 1999.
Lee Min-ji is also likely to break the record for the smallest tournament (272) held by Ingster, Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), and Jeon In-ji (28).
He sets a new record by hitting even par on the final day. If he hits a 4-under, he will exceed Ingster’s record for most under-par in a tournament (16-under).
Lee Min-ji said, “I had no idea the record. If you play a good game, the record will follow,” said Lee.
The Australian player has not won the US Women’s Open since Carrie Webb (Australia) in 2001. If Lee Min-ji wins, it will be the third following Webb and Jan Stevenson.
Lee Min-ji, who likes to play aggressively with long hitting, caught 18 birdies in three days, including 5 birdies that day.
In the third round, Lee Min-ji had a solo system with four consecutive birdies on the 9th to 12th holes.
After taking the lead in the first round, Harigae, who received attention as a joint lead in the second round, reduced one stroke to 2nd place (10 under par 203).
Bronte Law (USA), who shot 3-under 68, finished third (7-under 206).
Jinyoung Ko (27), the world No. 1, and Hyejin Choi (23), who hit 64 strokes in the second round, are tied for fourth place (6 under par 207), 7 shots behind Lee Min-ji, and challenge for a difficult comeback victory on the final day.
Jinyoung Ko missed the green only four times, but had a hard time on the green. The number of putts soared to 32.
Jinyoung Ko, who exchanged 3 birdies and 3 bogeys, said, “The green was a little firmer and the wind direction was different. So it was difficult to decide how to choose a club. said
Jinyoung Ko, who pulled a chip shot birdie on the 18th hole (par 4), added, “It was a very difficult situation. I might have caught the par if I did well, but I was thrilled and happy with the unexpected result.”
Hyejin Choi, who had 3 birdies and 4 bogeys, had a harder time on the green. Hyejin Choi, who used the putter 34 times, said she “had lost the feeling of putting, but then came back. I think she needs to refine her shots and putts a bit more,” she said.
Ji Eun-hee (36), who cut two strokes, moved up to a tie for 10th (5-under-par 208).
Somi Lee (23), who went on an away trip to Korea, shot a 2-under 69, raising her ranking to a tie for 15th (4-under-par 209).
Kim Se-young (29), who lost 4 strokes, was pushed down to 19th (1 under par 212), and Park Seong-hyeon (29) fell to a tie for 31st (2 over par 215) by hitting 77 6-overs.
khoon@yna.co.kr
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