‘Autumn Queen’ Kim Su-ji (Dongbu Construction) took aim at defending the title of the 2023 Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour Hana Financial Group Championship (total prize money of 1.5 billion won).
Suji Kim hit 4 under par 68 with 5 birdies and 1 bogey in the third round of the tournament held at Incheon Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club (par 72, 6,712 yards) on the 23rd. Kim Su-ji, who recorded an intermediate total of 8 under par 208 strokes, jumped from tied 8th the previous day to sole 1st place. Choi Hye-jin (Lotte), who was the sole leader until the second round the previous day, only lost one stroke with four birdies and three bogeys on this day, falling to second place, one stroke behind Kim Su-ji.
Kim Su-ji earned the nickname ‘Autumn Queen’ by winning four games after a hot September in two consecutive seasons in 2021 and last year. Her first win of the year came at the Hanwha Classic, which ended on August 27th when the heat subsided.
Kim Su-ji, who failed to defend her title at the OK Financial Group Shotman Open last week, will try again to defend her title at the Hana Financial Group Championship.
Kim Su-ji, who entered the third round two strokes behind Choi Hye-jin, who won the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open held at the same venue as this tournament in June of this year, was on the rise from the beginning by hitting iron shots well into the pin.
She followed up with birdies on the 1st and 4th holes (par 3 or higher), followed by birdies on the 8th and 10th holes (par 4 or higher), closely chasing Choi Hye-jin, who started three groups behind. Choi Hye-jin also made birdies in the 1st, 4th, and 5th holes (par 3) and was one step ahead of Kim Su-ji, but at the 6th hole (par 4), her second shot fell into the bunker around the green and she made bogey with 3 on 2 putts. Finally caught up.
Kim Su-ji, who caught a birdie in the 12th hole (par 4), was two strokes ahead of Choi Hye-jin, who recorded a bogey with 3 ons and 2 putts when her second shot also fell into the rough around the green in the 10th hole (par 4). Suji Kim recorded a bogey at the 14th hole (par 3) and was unable to widen the gap. Choi Hye-jin tied for second place in the rankings with a 2-on-2 putt bogey on the 16th hole (par 3) with her second shot heading into the rough around the green, and then took 1 stroke with a chip-in birdie on the 17th hole (par 5). He made up for it and regained sole second place.먹튀검증
Hyejin Choi 2023 Hana Financial Group Championship 3R 4th hole bunker shot. Provided by KLPGT
Suji Kim said, “Overall, the play went well, and I think I took the opportunity well when it came. “It was the course where I won, so I played with good memories and got good results,” he said. He added, “This course has some holes where you have to be careful, so you have to make good judgment. Instead, when the opportunity comes, you must seize it well,” he said, adding, “As I challenge to defend my title, I will do my best and perform without regrets.”
Choi Hye-jin said, “After the first bogey, the flow was interrupted and the game was difficult. Fortunately, there is still one more round left, so I will take care not to repeat the disappointing part tomorrow.”
Lee Min-ji (Australia), who won the Kroger Queen City Championship on the LPGA Tour earlier this month and recorded her 9th win on the tour, tied 5 birdies and 2 bogeys to reduce 3 strokes, and was placed in 3rd place, 2 strokes behind. In 2021, he maintained the spark to shake off the disappointment of finishing second in the overtime competition.
‘Major hunter’ Lee Da-yeon (Medihill), who won a total of 7 wins at the KLPGA Championship last April, hit 1 under par 71 strokes to tie for 4th place (5 under par 211 strokes), saving the possibility of a comeback victory. In Ju-yeon (Golden Blue), who dreams of her second win, and Jo Hye-rim (Sivent), who dreams of her first win, also tied for 4th place.
‘Long hitting rookie’ Bang Shin-sil (KB Financial Group), one of the best long hitters on the LPGA tour, Patty Tawatanakat (Thailand), and Lim Jin-hee (Angang Construction), who won her second win of the season, tied for 7th place (4 under par, 212 strokes), 4 strokes behind. formed.
