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Park Sung-hyun beats Jeon In-ji in duel KEB Hana Bank Championship

Park Sung-hyun beats Jeon In-ji in duel KEB Hana Bank Championship

Posted October. 15, 2016 07:22,   

Updated October. 15, 2016 07:36

한국어
It was a working day, but more than 3,000 golf fans gathered to watch a duel between Jeon In-ji (22) and Park Sung-hyun (23). The two golfers had joint rounding at the Ocean Course of Sky 72 Golf Club (par 72) in Incheon for two consecutive days on Friday at the KEB Hana Bank Championship, the only LPGA Tour event that takes place in Korea.

Jeon boasts more than 8,500 members in her fan club, while Park also has over 5,000 fans. Jeon’s fans wore yellow caps, while Park’s fans put on black caps on the day to stage a fierce rooting competition for their respective heroines.

The two golfers tied with even par 72 in the first round, but KLPGA No. 1 Park Sung-hyun overwhelmed Jeon In-ji, who is playing in the U.S LPGA Tour, in the second round. Park had nine birdies and only gave two bogeys to post 7-under pars thanks to her long-distance shots and hitting 93 percent of the fairways.

With an interim total of 7-under, Park tied for third with a three-stroke difference with the frontrunner, Brittany Lang of the U.S., and joined the race of top contenders for the championship. “I was surprised to see so large gallery, but it helped me a lot. I successfully adapted myself to the green,” Park said. Jeon, who even had bleeding nose due to her deteriorating stamina during the game, failed to narrow the difference in number of strokes by posting three birdies and three bogeys and recorded even par on the day to tie for 33rd in interim total.

Korean American Alison Lee slipped from the lead on Day 1 to finish second (9 under par) on Day 2. She posted eagle at Hole 15 (par four), but struggled amid roughs at Hole 18 (par five), which was regrettable.



인천=김종석기자 kjs0123@donga.com