‘Leader for two days in a row’ Lee Chae “will focus on my play instead of thinking about winning”
Lee Chae-eun topped the leaderboard for the second consecutive day as she went from a first-round tie for the lead to a sole share of the second round lead.
Lee carded three birdies and six bogeys for a 3-over-par 75 in the second round of the 2023 Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour’s SK networks-Seoul Economic Ladies Classic (KRW 800 million ($144 million) purse) on Sunday at Finks Golf Club (Par 72/6,727 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. Her two-day total was 5-under par 139.
Three-over par was a good score for the day. The strong winds churned up the greens and confused the players, causing them to settle in and out of their stance, and to consider their club selection. It was not easy to adjust to the changing direction and strength of the wind. At Finks Golf Club, where the tournament was held, the wind was blowing strongly with an average wind speed of 7 meters per second and a maximum wind speed of 11 meters per second. The winds were unique to Jeju, and only five players shot under par.
Lee Chae-eun dropped three strokes today after shooting 8-under par the day before, but cruised to a solo lead. Currently ranked 60th on the money list and facing uncertainty over her seeding for next season, this is a golden opportunity for Lee to win the tournament.
“It was difficult in the beginning, but I think I turned it around when I made a long putt on the last hole of the first half. Starting the second half of the day, it was not easy because of the wind, but I think I finished well.”
Speaking about her putt on the ninth hole, Lee said, “It was about 17 meters, but it was uphill and downhill, so I even thought about bogeying it. I thought it would be easy to make a par putt, but I was lucky to get it in,” she said with a smile.
Lee, who led after the first round for the first time on the KLPGA Tour, said, “I was lucky in the first round. I thought it would be really hard today. I finished better than I expected, so I’m scared for tomorrow,” she said.
“The ballistics were high, so I played with two or three extra clubs when I chose my clubs,” she said, adding that she was able to overcome the strong winds. “I didn’t come (to the tournament) with the goal of winning, so I’m going to focus on my game rather than thinking about winning,” she said, sharing her determination for the remaining two days of the tournament.
Lee was followed by Lim Hee-jung, who shot a second-round best of 4-under 68 for a two-day total of 4-under 140 to sit in a tie for second place with Choi Ye-rim, Bae So-hyun and Lim Jin-hee, one shot off the lead.
“Unlike the last tournament, I feel like I have a good feel for my shots now because I can keep my arm longer when I hit the shots I want to hit,” Lim said. 짱구카지노
Lee, Lee Da-yeon, and Yoo Seo-yeon are tied for sixth place at 3-under 69, while Jung Yoon-ji is tied for ninth and Kim Woo-jung, Park Hyun-kyung, and Kim Ji-hyun are tied for 10th to start the third round.
The previous day’s co-leader, Lee Seung-yeon, slipped to a tie for 19th at 9-over, while defending champion Lee So-mi improved from a tie for 71st on day one to a tie for 47th today and will be looking to turn things around in the final round.
Kwak Bomi, Na Hee-won, Song Ga-eun, Lee Ga-young, Ahn So-hyun and Jang Hana missed the cut, while Lee Jung-min, Ahn Song-i, Kim Ah-hyun, Kim Yeon-hee, Cho A-yeon and Kim Si-won withdrew.