PAJU: South Korean golfer Sung Yu-jin is poised to secure her first LPGA victory after delivering an outstanding performance on home ground during the BMW Ladies Championship. Sung achieved a bogey-free round of nine-under 63 during the third round at Seowon Hills at Seowon Valley Country Club, located in Paju, northwest of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Sung stands at 16-under, trailing the 54-hole leader, Hannah Green from Australia, by two strokes. Sung, Green, and Ashleigh Buhai from South Africa, who is in third place at 15-under, will form the final group on Sunday. Sung acquired her LPGA card after qualifying last December and has had 12 successful cuts in 16 tournaments, with her best finish being at the Dow Championship team event in June.
Sung attributed her strong performance in the third round to effective ball-striking and putting, expressing gratitude for the support from fans. Despite taking a two-month break due to back issues and not being at full health, Sung is committed to manag
ing her nerves and staying focused on her game.
The BMW Ladies Championship, which started in 2019 and had a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen victories from several South Korean players. Jang Hana won the inaugural title, and Ko Jin-young triumphed in 2021. The subsequent two championships were won by Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Minjee Lee of Australia.
The tournament faced weather challenges, with heavy rain on Friday delaying the completion of the second round. Players finished their second round on Saturday morning before proceeding to the third round. Hannah Green, who led with two consecutive rounds of 64, slipped to a 70 in the third round, while Sung surged with six birdies on the back nine, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation.
Green mentioned her strategy for the final round, focusing on her game rather than others’. Ryu Hae-ran, the 2023 LPGA Rookie of the Year, also remains in contention with a bogey-free 68, positioning herself at 14-under. Lydia Ko is tied for ei
ghth at 12-under, alongside two other South Korean players, Kim A-lim and Jenny Shin, while Minjee Lee is at 10-under.