2012.6.8 Weekend Picks

KBO

Samsung Lions (24-23-1) at SK Wyverns (25-20-1)

Munhak Baseball Stadium, Incheon

Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 5 p.m.

The rematch of last year’s Korean Series starts anew as the two teams meet in the western port city of Incheon.

The Wyverns have so far edged the defending champion Lions four times this season, while losing only twice.

The team has been struggling to maintain its starting pitching rotation because of injuries, but lefty ace Kim Kwang-hyun, who featured for the first time in seven months last week, and reliever Jung Woo-ram will get time on the mound during this three-game series.

KLPGA

Lotte Cantata Women’s Open

Lotte Sky Hill Country Club, Seogwipo, Jeju

Friday to Sunday

The sixth KLPGA event of the year tees off today as 108 golfers compete for the 100 million won ($85,400) winner’s purse with a pass to participate at the 2013 Lotte Championship in the LPGA.

All eyes are on Kim Char-young, who will look for her third straight win. Kim won the Woori Investment & Securities Ladies Championship and the Doosan Matchplay Championship over the last two weeks and became No. 1 in prize money earnings.

If Kim manages to win this event, she will be the first golfer to have three consecutive wins since Ryu So-yeon did so in 2009. Lee Rye-jung, who is currently second in money earnings, is considered to be a top contender.

FIVB

2012 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix

Sajik Indoor Gymnasium, Busan

Friday to Sunday

The Korean women’s volleyball team, which clinched a spot in the London Olympics last month, will begin its international action again in the southern port city Busan.

Entering its 20th year, the World Grand Prix features 16 nations. They are grouped into four pools of four each weekend until June 20 and will battle it out in a round-robin format. Overall ranking points are accumulated after weeks and will determine five teams to be in Ningbo, China, for the final stages.

For the first week preliminary round, Korea is in Pool C along with Cuba, Turkey and Japan. Korea will first play Cuba at 4 p.m. today followed by Turkey at 2 p.m. tomorrow and Japan at 2 p.m. on Sunday.