Oh Ji-hyun, who won the final round of the Jeju Samdasoo Masters held at Wooridul CC in Seogwipo, Jeju on the 1st, poses with a trophy. Provided by KLPGA
Oh Ji-hyeon (25) broke three years of silence and again stood at the top of the Korean women’s professional golf (KLPGA) tour. Immediately after winning the championship, Oh Ji-hyun made a surprise announcement that he and Kim Si-woo (26), the men’s golf representative at the Tokyo Olympics, said, “We promised to get married.”
In the final round of the KLPGA Tour Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize of 900 million won) held at Wooridul Country Club (par 72) in Seogwipo-si, Jeju on the 1st, Oh Ji-hyun shot a 4-under 68 to win the 4 rounds with a total of 17-under 271. Hong Jeong-min (19), three strokes behind, came in second place (14-under-par 274).
Oh Ji-hyeon, who had quenched his thirst for championships for three years, climbed to the record of seven career victories on the KLPGA Tour. Previously, Oh Ji-hyeon’s recent championship stage was at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters in August 2018.
Oh Ji-hyun reigned as the top player on the KLPGA Tour by ranking 3rd in the prize money ranking and 2nd in the grand prize points in 2018, but his performance fell short of expectations from 2019 due to frequent injuries. This season, he participated in 13 competitions and missed the cut seven times, which is more than half. Oh Ji-hyeon, who suffered the humiliation of failing to cut cuts in five consecutive competitions since the season opening game, spread the wings of resurrection with the victory of this tournament.
Oh Ji-hyun burst into tears the moment she opened her mouth saying, “The long-awaited win,” revealing that the heartache was not formidable.
Oh Ji-hyeon marked a bogey on the 1st hole (par 5), foretelling a tough match. The 3rd hole (par 4) birdie made up for it, but Oh Ji-hyeon continued the frustrating game of par-paring seven holes.
Hong Jeong-min (19), who seemed to be collapsing with a double bogey on the 1st hole (par 5), drew 4 birdies to the 10th hole and caught up by one stroke. Oh Ji-hyun breathed a sigh of relief by putting in a 10m birdie putt on the 11th hole (par 4). Oh Ji-hyun said, “I gained confidence as I put that putt in.”
The game was decided on the 16th hole (par 4). Oh Ji-hyeon’s 8m birdie putt fell into the cup, and Hong’s 4.5m birdie putt deviated to the left of the hole. Oh Ji-hyun confirmed the championship with a 50cm par putt on the last 18th hole (par 4).
Shortly after winning the championship, Oh Ji-hyeon won the PGA Tour three times and announced that she had promised to marry Kim Si-woo (26), who participated in the men’s golf team at the Tokyo Olympics. Oh Ji-hyun posted a photo taken with Si-woo Kim on social media earlier, and their relationship has already been widely known in the golf world.
Meanwhile, Park Min-ji (23), who challenged the 7th championship of the season, finished the contest in a tie for third place (12-under 276) by hitting a 4-under-par 68. Hyejin Choi swept 7 birdies without bogey, and tied for third place with Minji Park (12 under par 276).
Kim Ki-joong reporter k2j@hankookilbo.com
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