Latest KLPGA Events

The next event on the schedule, the Shinsegae, happened only a few days after the PAVV. It started on a Wednesday and ended on a Friday, a most unusual occurrence for a three day event. Young Kim, whose main sponsor is Shinsegae, naturally attends this event every year, and even won it in 2003. She was back again this year. Besides the two Futures Tour stalwarts, the only other big name player from another tour in the field was Joo Mi Kim, returning home to try her luck in a local event after a fairly successful rookie year on the LPGA tour.

The first day of competition was Wednesday the 28th. The tournament took place in Gyeonggi province. Taking the first round lead was Mi Jung Chun, who shot a 6 under par 66; she usually plays on the JLPGA. Just one shot back of her are two golfers including Un Ah Lim, whom you may recall had the lead with just a few holes to go at the PAVV, but let it all slip away.

Some more names we have been following line up behind them. Among those at 4 under were: Kyeong Bae, who besides being third on the Futures Tour in 2005, also led the money list on the KLPGA tour at this time; Bo Bae Song, who was second on the money list behind Bae; Joo Mi Kim; and Seon Hwa Lee.

Among those at 3 under were Young Kim and last week's winner Hee Young Park.

There wasn't much wind, and 39 golfers broke par on day one.

In round 2, Kyeong Bae fired a brilliant 5 under par 67 (not a bogey on the card) to move into a tie for the lead at 9 under par. Tied for the lead with Bae was a player named Hyun Joo Shin, who also shot a 67 on day 2. A third player also at 9 under par was Son Wook Yim, who shot a 66 on day 2. A lot of low scoring going on!

Two shots back of that pack at 7 under were Young Kim, 2003 champ, who produced a 68 on day 2; and Joo Mi Kim, who shot a 69. Both of these gals have won multiple times on the KLPGA tour; so they were a definite threat to win this one as well!

Bo Bae Song was another shot back at 6 under after her second day 70, while Na Ri Kim and Hee Young Park were another shot back at 5 under, tied for 8th.

Un Ah Lim, alas, shot a 2 over par 74 and slid to a tie for 19th at 4 under total. She would have to wait another week for that first win. That's still better than first round leader Mi Jung Chun, who shot 77 on day two to fall into 30th place.

Kyeong Bae in round 2

Bae in round 3

Joo Mi tried, but Kyeong Bae won

As the third round progressed, it came down to four golfers who had a shot at winning. Joo Mi Kim played well in the early going and had moved to 11 under par, where she was tied with Kyeong Bae, who was several groups behind her. Young Kim was at 9 under, as was second round co-leader Son Wook Yim. But Young had a bogey late coming in, and would end up finishing in solo 4th at 8 under. Not a bad performance for her! Yim would wind up in solo third.

Which means it all came down to Joo Mi and Kyeong Bae. On the 15th hole, a par 5, Joo Mi hit her drive right into some trees. Her second shot went left, and it ended up taking her four shots to get on, where she two putted for bogey. She would end up at 10 under par for the tournament.

So now it was just a question of: could Bae hold on for the win? The key hole was the par 3 16th. Already at 11 under coming in, she hit her tee shot to within 50 cm and made the birdie to move to 12 under, a two shot lead. But it wasn't over yet. On 18, she had some struggles, but fortunately salvaged bogey, and collected the win with a final score of 11 under par.

Congratulations to Kyeong Bae! Her win solidified her standing atop the KLPGA tour money list. She definitely cannot rest on her laurels, though; there are some tough ladies just behind her eager to knock her off!