By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korean-born golfer Pak Se-ri won the U.S. Women's Open in 1998. Compatriot Birdie Kim ― Kim Ju-yun in Korean name ― did the same in 2005.
And now 45 golfers with South Korean roots, some of whom are citizens of America or Brazil, have their sites set on capturing the title at the prestigious LPGA Tour event, which will take place from Thursday to Sunday at the 6,789-yard Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn.
Along with World Golf Hall of Famer Pak, the Open field includes veterans such as eight-time U.S. tour winner Kim Mi-hyun, Han Hee-won, who came back last year after the birth of her son, and Grace Park, who has been silent since she won the CJ Nine Bridges Classic in 2004.
However, South Korea's two tour winners of this year, Lee Seon-hwa and Ji Eun-hee, are expected to lead the East Asian country's squad.
Lee, 22, who rallied to beat another Hall of Famer in Karrie Webb of Australia in the Ginn Tribute playoff three weeks ago, carried her winning swing, finishing in ties for 10th and 19th in the past two tournaments.
Contemporary Ji, who tasted her first career LPGA Tour victory at the Wegmans LPGA last week, hopes to make it back-to-back tour wins when she competes this week at one of the four major championships.
Former British Open champion Jang Jeong is also in contention after being held to runner-up places three times this season.
South Korean women have performed well at the U.S. Open in the past. In addition to two champions in Pak and Kim, eight South Koreans made the top 10 last year, when American Christie Kerr won.
However, to win a trophy this year, Korea's golfers must overcome world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico. Although she has been winless in the past four events, the future Hall of Famer has claimed six victories, including four straight during one stretch, this season.
Her long drives and accurate iron shots make her a favorite to contend for the trophy at the U.S. Open, which she has never won.
Annika Sorenstam of Sweden and LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng of Taiwan are also contenders who could threaten Ochoa.
Shin Ji-yai, who has dominated the LPGA in Korea, could also mount a challenge toward top-tier golfers, while German Open winner Amy Yang (Yang Hee-young), who ranks second in prize money on the Ladies European Tour (LET) is gunning for her first U.S. title.
Meanwhile, former golf phenom Michelle Wie is poised to make noise in the field. With her wrist injury, which had long plagued her, getting better, the 18-year-old qualified for the competition earlier this month and finished sixth at the German Open. Last week, the Hawaii native tied for 24th at the Wegmans LPGA.