2011.8.19 Weekend Picks: KLPGA

* Nefs Masterpiece 2011
* Eco Land Golf & Resort, Jeju, Jeju Island
* Friday, 7:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The 11th event of this year’s KLPGA season got under way yesterday, with 101 local golfers competing until Sunday for the winner’s purse of 120 million won ($111,750) on tropical Jeju Island.

No golfer has emerged as a dominant force on Korea’s ladies tour this year, with all previous 10 events of this season producing a different champion.

But golf experts fancy the chances of recent U.S. Women’s Open winner Ryu So-yeon. Another victory this weekend will put the 21-year-old atop the Tour’s money listings.

Current money leader Sim Hyun-hwa is expected to present a strong challenge to Ryu, as will the event’s 2009 champion Lee Bo-mi, who has said she plans on using the tournament to rediscover her form.

Lee, last year’s KLPGA player of the year, has yet to claim a title this season.