KLPGA Update

The next event on the KLPGA was the third in Kungmin Bank's Star Tour, a series of four events sponsored by this bank throughout the year. It took place from September 28 - 30.

No big LPGA stars appeared at this event, but Soo Young Moon, who had already won an event in the Star Tour series, was in the field. This was a relatively small money event on tour, but it could still make a difference towards the money list (total purse was 200,000,000 won, first prize was 36,000,000 won). However, even if Hee Young Park were to win the event, she would not be able to catch Shin (although the gap could be closed a bit).

The event was played at the Hampyong Dynasty Country Club, a 6,297 yard par 72 course. The leader after the first round was a relatively unknown player, a 35 year old journeyman named Chang Soon Park. Ms. Park shot a 5 under par 67 (seven birdies, two bogies) and was all by herself at the top of the leaderboard. However, one shot back of her was a massive logjam of players at 4 under. Included in that group was Ji Yai Shin, having yet another fantastic tournament. She had four birdies and no bogies. Also at 4 under were Na Yeon Choi and Ga Na Lee. Hee Young Park shot a 2 under par 70 (four birdies, two bogies), and Bo Bae Song also finished there, although in her case, she was four under at the turn, and two over on the back. Woo Ri Choi and Ran Hong (pictured) also finished at 2 under.

After round two, some of the KLPGA's biggest stars found themselves at the top of the leaderboard gunning for the prize.

After shooting a flawless 5 under 67 that included a hole out for eagle on her first hole, Na Yeon Choi took over sole lead of the tournament. She sat at 9 under total. Two shots back in second was none other than Bo Bae Song, two time KLPGA Player of the Year. BB had a double bogey early, but made that up later with a hole in one on the par 3 12th (and she wasn't the only player who made an ace there this day; Ha Na Park, who ended the day tied for third at 6 under, also had one). BB also had five birdies for a 67 on the day.

Tied for third at 6 under was Ji Yai Shin. She had a relatively quiet 2 under 70 this day (2 birdies), but was perfectly positioned for her third win of the year. Hee Young Park only managed a 71, though, and at 3 under was now 6 shots out of the lead.

Kudos also should go to Hyun Hee Moon, who followed up a dismal 77 with a sweet 66 (best score of the day) to get her total under par. Guess the jet lag wore off (see Fairways and Greens to find out what she was up to the previous week!). Pictured: Ga Na Lee.

By the tenth hole on Sunday, Ji Yai Shin had made three birdies and one bogey and had moved to 8 under. At the time, Na Yeon Choi, the leader at the end of the second round, had two birdies and one bogey and was at 10 under. But that was as close as it got. On the back nine, both players made a lot of birdies. Choi bogied eleven, but Shin double bogied, and that was probably the key hole. From there, they both made three more birdies, and Choi won the event by three shots at 12 under. Shin was second at 9 under.

This was Choi's first win of the year, but not of her career. In fact, she and Shin share something in common. Both won their first KLPGA event as 17 year old amateurs. In Choi's case, she beat none other than Se Ri Pak at the 2004 ADT-CAPS. Se Ri finished tied for second, her best finish of the latter half of that year. Since then, Choi has become almost the Shi Hyun Ahn of the KLPGA. She's very popular, but though she has been a good player, she has been somewhat overshadowed by Shin and Hee Young Park in the young gun department. She told the press that she was dying to win this event after she had grabbed her second round lead.

Shin shouldn't feel so bad. Her second place finish solidified her money list lead, and allowed her to at last exceed Se Ri's all time record for most money in a season. Bo Bae Song, who started the day third, shot a two over par 74 and fell to fifth. Hee Young was never really able to get going this week, but still rallied to a 71 and a sixth place finish. She has some work to do now if she wants to catch the seemingly unstoppable Shin for POY. But with several more events left in the season, she might be able to do it yet. Be sure to tune in to find out!