‘Queen of Autumn’ Kim Su-ji (Dongbu Construction) took the lead on the third day of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour Hana Financial Group Championship (total prize money of 1.5 billion won, winner’s prize of 270 million won).
Kim Su-ji reduced 4 strokes in the 3rd round of the tournament held at Incheon Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club (par 72) on the 23rd and took sole first place with a total of 8 under par 208 strokes.
Kim Su-ji, who started the game tied for 8th place, two strokes behind the leader, made one bogey but reduced the number of strokes by catching five birdies.
Kim Su-ji, who is called the Autumn Queen because she won a total of 5 wins in the fall alone, increased her chances of winning by taking the lead on this day, which was the autumn equinox, the season when day and night are of equal length. Kim Su-ji, who won this competition last year and entered the competition as the defending champion, will also attempt to win her second consecutive title in the competition.
In an interview with the KLPGA Tour after the game, Kim Su-ji said that her winning experience last year was helpful. He said, “I remember winning here, so I played with good memories and got good results,” and reflected, “Rather than saying that any part was particularly good, my shots and putts were all good overall.”
Kim Su-ji said that the course was difficult and that she would approach it strategically. He said, “Because the course is so difficult, I think I need to strategize well every round. If the course was easy, I would play aggressively, but there are some holes here where you need to be careful, so you have to make good judgment. When the opportunity comes, you have to seize it well. “He pointed out.
Choi Hye-jin, who was the leader the스포츠토토 previous day, only lost one stroke and became second with a total of 7 under par.
Choi Hye-jin expressed regret over the loss of momentum during the game. He said, “In the beginning, the feel of the shot was very good and the feel of the putt was not bad, so the flow was good. After the first bogey, the flow was interrupted and the game seemed to have been difficult,” he said. “But fortunately, there was still one more round left. “I think we need to be careful not to make mistakes,” he said.
Choi Hye-jin aims for her comeback win. He said, “I’m disappointed with today’s game, but I don’t think the overall flow was too bad. Tomorrow, I’ll do my best to focus until the end.”
Lee Min-ji, an Australian Korean who plays on the LPGA Tour, is in 3rd place with 6 under par.
Suji Kim, Hyejin Choi, and Minji Lee will play together in the final round champion group.
Lee Da-yeon, Jo Hye-rim, and In Ju-yeon are tied for 4th place with 5 under par.
Patty Tabatanakit, Jinhee Lim, and Shinsil Bang tied for 7th place with 4 under par.
Park Hyun-kyung, Lee Ye-won, Song Ga-eun, Bae So-hyun, and Lee Seul-gi tied for 10th place with 3 under par.