Park Min-ji looks to defend her title at Daebo hausD Open

Park Min-ji reacts after birdying the fifth hole during the final round of the BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup 2022 at Fortune Hills in Pocheon, Gyeonggi on June 26. [KLPGA]

Park Min-ji looks to defend her title and take her fourth win of the season at the Daebo hausD Open at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, Gyeonggi on Friday.

Last year, Park won the inaugural Daebo hausD Open, carding 16-under-par, two strokes ahead of Seo Yeun-jung.

Despite a driver shot blunder on the par-4 seventh during the final round and conceding the top position briefly to Seo, who was looking for her first-ever KLPGA win, Park was able to bounce back with a big par save. That save was what put Park back on track. On the par-3 eighth, she putted from the fringe, 7 yards from the hole, birdying to tie for first with Seo.

Then she started her comeback with six holes left, birdying the par-4 12th to take the top of the leaderboard. Seo fought back, birdying the par-4 15th to tie the lead again.

But it was Park who prevailed, birdying the final par-4 18th to finish the tournament two strokes ahead of Seo.

That win last season was Park’s sixth, three short of Shin Ji-yai's season record of nine wins in a single season.

This season Park has won two titles in June, the Celltrion Queens Masters on June 12, BC Card Hankyung Ladies Cup 2022 on June 26. Before that, Park defended her title at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship on May 15.

If Park defends her title at the Daebo hausD Open, she will have defended her title for the third time this season, marking the first time a golfer defends three titles in a single season in 40 years.

“Honestly, I do feel that I want to win this tournament more than other events because it is my last chance to defend my title this season,” said Park in a pre-tournament interview on Thursday.

“I am trying to get my form back with some rest and training. I have great memories at this tournament so I will play with a positive mindset.”

A total of 120 golfers will tee off Friday at Seowon Valley Country Club for the second consecutive year.

“The pin locations at Seowon Valley are difficult so I am getting prepared for that,” said Park.

“I think I will need to change my play style according to the different pin locations to get good results. But of course the most important thing will be to stay on the fairway. I want to play well with good tee shots.”

The Daebo hausD Open is a 54-hole three-day event that runs from Friday to Sunday.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]