Rookie Shin Ji-yai, left, and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico are tied for most wins this season with three victories apiece. Both golfers will play at the Hana Bank-Kolon Championship, which starts Friday in Incheon.
/ Korea Times File |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
The Hana Bank-Kolon Championship, Korea's lone LPGA Tour event, starts Friday at the SKY 72 Golf Club's 6,466-yard Ocean Course in Incheon.
Shin Ji-yai will compete on her home soil against the likes of Lorena Ochoa, and will be looking to clinch top spot in five different categories on the LPGA
Shin is currently the LPGA leader in the Rolex rookie of year standings, the tour's money list, the Rolex player of the year rankings and shares first with Ochoa in most wins with three. Ochoa leads in scoring average but Shin is not far behind.
The South Korean is way ahead in the Rolex rookie of year award standings, earning 1,344 points while runner-up Michelle Wie has only 764 points.
But in the play of the year race, with 131 points Ochoa trails Shin by just five points.
A big pay day at this event would also help Shin to sustain her lead in prize money. The Hana Bank-Kolon tournament has a purse of $1.7 million, the highest of any women's golf tournament in Korea.
Ai Miyazato of Japan, who is second in money list with $1,451,610, won't be competing in Incheon and will instead play a tournament in her homeland.
"I can't waste a chance to win a trophy in my home country," said a confident Shin.
The 21-year-old is on the rise, grabbing a come-from-behind playoff victory in the JLPGA's Masters GC Ladies.
"I feel a little tired, but I will be ready soon.
"Rain is forecast and I think the weather will be a factor," added Shin.
Ochoa, the World No. 1, is also hoping to end the season on a high note.
"My goal in this tournament is definitely to win the title," Ochoa said.
"I at least want to finish the season by grabbing the player of the year award and the scoring average award."
Ochoa, who is second in the Rolex player of the year standings, is the LPGA leader in scoring average with 70.16. Shin is fourth with 70.36.
Other Korean LPGA players, Ji Eun-hee and Choi Na-yeon, will also finish off their seasons in Incheon, as will domestic tour money leader Seo Hee-kyung and runner-up Ryu So-yeon.
"I've played in two four-round tournaments in a row in the last two weeks and I feel tired," Seo said.
"I am not sure whether I can recover my stamina or not.
"Usually when I get some good sleep, I can recover. I have been trying to help myself prepare by sleeping for 10 hours a night," added Seo.
"After winning the last two tournaments, I am excited. So I may have to calm down a little bit. If I can recover my stamina, I can expect a good result,"
The competition was called the CJ Nine Bridge Classic from 2002 to 2006, when it became the Hana Bank-Kolon Championship.
Koreans have won five of the seven tournaments and the defending champion is Candie Kung of Taiwan.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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