Hye-Jin Choi delivered a blistering front nine to inject herself into the contention at the LPGA South Korea, shooting a 6-under 66 on Saturday at Pine Beach Golf Links. The 28 on the front nine, powered by an eagle and seven birdies, allowed Choi to close the gap on leader Haeran Ryu, who maintained a four-stroke lead with a 4-under 68. Despite challenging conditions, Choi’s aggressive play moved her into a tie for second place with a three-round total of 13-under 203, setting the stage for a dramatic final round.
Hye-Jin Choi’s 6-under 66 keeps her chase for a first LPGA win alive despite a late stumble.
Choi’s momentum faltered slightly on the back nine, where she bogeyed the par-5 12th after a shot into a fairway bunker and double-bogeyed the 17th after missing an eight-foot par putt from the hazard. These errors kept her from extending her lead, but she finished strong enough to remain within striking distance of Ryu. The rain-soaked course presented significant hurdles, with officials using roller squeegees to clear water from the greens, resulting in final groups taking six hours to complete their rounds.
This performance marks another high-water mark for Choi, who is still searching for her first victory in 125 career LPGA Tour starts. She has held or shared the 54-hole lead five times without converting it into a win, a frustrating streak that continues as she chases history. Tied for second with Choi are Minji Park, who shot 65, and Yuri Yoshida, who carded a 68, ensuring a tight and competitive finish to the tournament.
Source: Yahoo Sports
