Local Money Leader Bids for 4-Peat
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Ryu So-yeon has set her sights on a fourth straight tournament win when she tees off in Jeju at the Nefs Masterpiece this weekend.
The 19-year-old two-year pro received a big boost when she won her first trophy at the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Match Play Championship earlier this year, after beating Choi He-yong on the ninth playoff hole.
Ryu added two more wins at the Ladies Championship and the Champions Invitational in June, and finally grabbed the High 1 Resort Cup title last weekend, earning 200 million won ($160,000), the most lucrative prize on the domestic tour.
Many believe that Ryu's ability to perform well in final rounds has greatly contributed to her win total this year. The tour money leader, who has earned 467,152,500 won ($374,600) so far, hit a 4-under 68 at the Ladies Championship, a 7-under 65 at the Invitational, and a 5-under 67 at the High 1 Resort Cup.
``I think the Match Play Championship became a turning point for me. I got confidence that I can come from behind and win,'' Ryu said.
In a poll of golf fans, 80.72 percent said Ryu will score below par in the first round this weekend, according to sports betting company Sports Toto.
But Seo Hee-kyung is hoping to end Ryu's winning streak. The 23-year-old five-year pro's career was blossoming in the first half of the year, winning the Lotte Mart Women's Open and the Korea Women's Open, one of the four KLPGA majors.
Kim Ha-neul and Hong Ran are also still looking for their first titles of the season.
Some LPGA members will also take part in the tournament. Sybase Classic winner Oh Ji-young, 2008 U.S. Women's Open winner Park In-bee, and Vicky Hurst of the United States will be on Jeju this weekend. Hurst is a rookie on the U.S.-based tour and has an American father and Korean mother.
``Ryu So-yeon's challenge for a fourth consecutive victory will get attention from fans. We also invited some LPGA members to play this first event,'' KLPGA spokesman Jang Jeong-won told The Korea Times, Thursday.
The three-round event will tee off on Friday as golfers vie for their share of a 500-million-won ($400,000) purse at The Classic Golf Resort in Seogwipo. The winner will net 100 million won ($80,000).