"Although I lack pace this year," Noh Seung-hee tries to make a new record for the first time in 21 years in the defense of the Korean Women's Open
"Although I lack pace this year," Noh Seung-hee tries to make a new record for the first time in 21 years in the defense of the Korean Women's Open
Blog Article
Noh Seung-hee of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour is challenging the milestone of winning two consecutive national title tournaments for the first time in 21 years.바카라
Noh Seung-hee will compete as a defending champion at the 39th Korean Women's Open Golf Championship (total prize money of 1.2 billion won) of the DB Group, which will be held at Rainbow Hills Country Club (par 72) in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do for four days from the 12th.
If Noh Seung-hee wins this competition, he will become the first player to succeed in defending the title in 21 years.
At the championship, which was established in 1987, only four players – Ko Woo-soon (1988 and 1989), Kim Mi-hyun (1995 and 1996), Kang Soo-yeon (2000 and 2001), and Song Bo-bae (2003 and 2004) – succeeded in defending the title. Since Song won two consecutive championships, no winners have been awarded for two consecutive years. As such, the Korean Women's Open is famous for not allowing consecutive wins.
However, chances are not small that Noh will win his second consecutive title. The Rainbow Hills Country Club, where the championship will be held, is very advantageous for players who manage their game strategically by using sophisticated shots rather than long balls.
Park Min-ji, Lim Hee-jung, Hong Ji-won, and Noh Seung-hee, who won the tournament from 2021 to last year, are all players with accurate shots and excellent putting ability, although they are not long hitters.
As shown by No. 1 ranking in fairway settlement rate (83.49 percent), Noh is the most accurate driver in the KLPGA tour. He is also praised for his driver accuracy similar to that of a wedge. The driving force behind Noh's win in wire-to-wire victory last year at Rainbow Hills Country Club, where tee shot accuracy is more important than any other course, is his accurate driver shot.
However, the stumbling block is that this year's pace did not increase compared to last year's. Before winning the Korean Women's Open last year, Noh Seung-hee showed outstanding shot sense by ranking in the top 10 in 12 competitions, but this year, he tied for 10th in the Doosan E&C Weave Championship except for the third place in Doosan Match Play in nine competitions.
The key to defending the title of Noh Seung-hee, who is struggling with putting, seems to be green play.
Lee, who shoots the hottest shots this year, is also considered a strong contender. Lee, who leads all categories including prize money, grand prize points, average at-bats, and multiple wins (three wins), is the perfect match for Rainbow Hills Country Club.
However, in the Korean Women's Open held at Rainbow Hills Country Club over the past three years, Lee fell slightly short of expectations. He tied for sixth in 2023, but tied for 18th in 2022 and 44th last year.
The Rainbow Hills Country Club is so high and low that players tend to use up their stamina. It is interpreted that Lee was hamstrung by her physical strength, which is her weakness. Lee, who said, "I focused most on strengthening my physical strength in preparation for this season, is committed to earning four wins in major competitions this season.
Lee Ga-young, who gained high morale by winning her first win of the season at the Celltrion Queen's Masters, aims to win the title for the second consecutive week. Lee Ga-young has been in the lead in the two competitions she recently participated in, displaying her full shot sense.
Park Min-ji and Park Hyun-kyung, who shared the championship and runner-up after directing a great match at Rainbow Hills Country Club in 2021, should also pay attention.
Park Min-ji, who has only one win and 20 wins in total, said, "I had good memories and I'm excited because it's my favorite golf course. I think it will be an interesting competition because I can't relax because the setting of the course is tricky. I want to feel the honor of winning the championship once again."
Park Hyun-kyung, who has a hot shot sense, including her first win of the season at the E1 Charity Open last month, has won the top 10 in 10 competitions she has participated in this year, and is determined to avenge her 2021 runner-up finish.
Hong Jung-min, who is looking to win two consecutive major tournaments after winning the KLPGA Championship, and Lim Hee-jung, the 2022 Korean Women's Open champion who announced her revival by ranking in the top 10 in the last five consecutive games, are also mentioned as candidates for the championship.
Another point to watch is how Bang Shin-sil, Hwang Yoo-min, Bae So-hyun and Ko Ji-woo, who are considered long hitters on the KLPGA Tour, target the Rainbow Hills Country Club.
Depending on the rules of the tournament, 10 amateur players, including the Korean Golf Association (KGA) amateur national team and the top 10 KGA ranking points, will participate in the tournament.
The competitiveness of the national team's elite players, including Oh Soo-min, Park Seo-jin and Jung Min-seo, who are active on the amateur stage at home and abroad, is also noteworthy.