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| Fans cheered following Eunhee Ji defeated Ayaka Furue (22, Japan) by 3 holes in the US LPGA Tour Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play Final held at Shadow Creek GC (par 72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on the 29th (local time) are receiving /Photo: Courtesy of the Union |
Ji Eun-hee (36), a Korean player on the American LPGA Tour, won the trophy following regarding three years and four months.
Eunhee Ji defeated Ayaka Furue (22, Japan) in the final of the US LPGA Tour Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play (total prize money of $1.5 million) held at Shadow Creek GC (par 72) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on the 29th (local time). beaten alone
Ji Eun-hee, who has not had a relationship with a championship since winning the Diamond Resorts Champions Tournament in January 2019, rose to the ‘Match Queen’ and reached the 6th victories on the tour. Her winning prize is $225,000 (regarding 280 million won).
Ji Eun-hee, born on May 13, 1986, is 36 years and 17 days old, and set a new record for the oldest Korean player to win on the US LPGA Tour. The previous record was 32 years, 8 months and 17 days set by Inbee Park at the KIA Classic in March 2021.
Ji Eun-hee, the oldest Korean player on the US LPGA Tour, won four of her six victories over the age of 30.
Ji Eun-hee, who was unable to secure a place in the U.S. Women’s Open, which started on the 2nd, was able to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open with this win, as she fell to 83rd in the world rankings last week. Ji Eun-hee is the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open champion.
Ji Eun-hee, who played four matches over two days, including the quarterfinals and semifinals the previous day, and the semifinals and finals of the day in the sweltering heat, said, “It was hard physically and mentally. Ji Eun-hee reached the final by defeating Korean national Andrea Lee (USA) by 4 holes in the semi-final match.
Ji Eun-hee, who reached the quarterfinals of this tournament last year, also won seven on the JLPGA Tour and overtook Furue, who plays on the US LPGA Tour this year, with her magnificence.
Ji Eun-hee is 14 years young, but she was dragged out by making a short putt mistake in the beginning when she was hit by Furue, who is ranked 27th in the world.
Ji Eun-hee, who had a good start following winning the 3rd hole (par 4) where Furue double-bogeed, failed to keep the par on the 4th (par 5) and 6th (par 5) holes, so she was behind by 1 hole. Ji Eun-hee counterattacked with a birdie on the 8th hole (par 3).
The tee shot seemed to pass the pin for a long time, but it climbed the slope and flowed down the hole once more, giving it a 4m birdie opportunity. Ji Eun-hee, who turned the game around by putting in a birdie putt, took the lead on the ninth hole (par 5) with a fairway shot eagle. With 67 yards left to the hole, the wedged ball lands on the green and rolls into the hole. Ji Eun-hee cheered, raising her arms.
Ji Eun-hee’s momentum has risen, and Huru-e has contracted. On the 10th hole (par 4), Ji Eun-hee put a difficult 2m par putt, and Hurue failed to make a par save. Ji Eun-hee gave up the 11th hole (par 4) because she missed the green and failed to keep the par, but on the 12th hole (par 4), Furue bogeyed for 3 putts, so she regained the lead by the 2nd hole.
On the 16th hole (par 5), Eunhee Ji put the ball on the green on the fourth time and put a 4m par putt.
Lilia Boo (USA) advanced to 3rd place by 4 holes in the 3rd and 4th place match.
Kyungsoo Kim Golf Writer
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