As the fifteenth tournament of the 2017 season, the “Chojung Sparkling Water Yongpyong Resort Open with SBS,” with a total cash prize of 500 million won, of which 100 million is awarded as the grand prize, will begin at the Birch Hill Country Club (with a par of 72 and a total distance of 6,379 yards), located in Yongpyong, Gangwon-do, today, June 30, for three days.

With the July heat waves just around the corner, this tournament is receiving widespread attention from golf fans regarding who will emerge victorious at this burning competition.

With three tournament victories for this season, the up-and-rising Ji-Hyun Kim, along with Ji-Hyun Oh, who successfully defended her title at the “BC Card-Hankyung Ladies Cup 2017” held last week, are both starting to land their shots mid-season, and are expected to achieve good results.

Most notably, Ji-Hyun Oh expressed her determination in entering this tournament: “When the weather gets hotter, I tend to play better. Although I achieved my first tournament victory of the season, I won’t let my guard down, and I will continue to consistently do my best. My physical condition is well, and my shots are landing. I hope that fortune will continue to be by my side throughout this week.”

Ji-Hyun Kim also stated, “I enter all tournaments with the same objectives in mind. My first objective is to pass through the preliminaries, and then finish in the top ten. In the moment I will forget about all of the past victories, and enter the competition as if it was my first. I absolutely can’t afford to let my guard down when there are so many capable golfers around.”

With three tournament victories this season, Ji-Hyun Kim rose to rank one on the golf money list, with a difference of approximately 150 million won from that of rank two, being Hae-Rim Kim. However, in terms of prize points, it remains a tight contest between the two. Prize points can only be received by those who place within the top ten, and the winner receives 40 points, while fifth place receives 16 points. With a 6-point difference between first and second place, and with a small 14-point difference between Hae-Rim Kim (rank 1) and Jung-Eun Lee (rank 2), it is expected for there to be fierce battle for victory for the highest cumulative prize points.

On the other hand, defending champion So-Yong Lee seems confident. “From early June, I’ve been getting the hang of it again. I am bound to get good results at this open, as well, if only my putts will land properly.” With Min-Sun Kim (five tournament victories) and Min-Ji Park (one tournament victory) rising to the top ten in the prize money list, they plunged into a heated competition. Quickly closing in behind them are Sun-Yu Bae, Gyeol Park and Hana Jang, as they perform their tee shots toward their first wins of the season.

Meanwhile, the sponsor plans on implementing a heart-shaped “Chojung Sparking Water Zone” at the eleventh hole (with a par of 4, and a distance of 404 yards) around the second shot mark. Every time the golfers’ drive shots land within the zone, 500,000 won will be added until a limit of 30 million won to a charity fund..... [See the original story]