Han Jin-seon wins High1 Resort Ladies Open for her first title ever

Han Jin-seon celebrates winning the High1 Resort Ladies Open on Sunday at High1 Resort in Jeongseon, Gangwon. [KLPGA]

Han Jin-seon won the High1 Resort Ladies Open 2022 on Sunday, two strokes over Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Ye-rim at High1 Resort in Jeongseon, Gangwon, to win her first-ever title.

Han's first title comes in her sixth year on the KLPGA Tour and her 131th event. Han debuted on the Korean top Tour in 2017, making the cut in six out of 12 events. In her second year on the Tour, Han marked two runner-up finishes.

Despite adding 11 more top five finishes in the last five years, Han was not able to win any silverware until Sunday.

On Thursday, Han had a quiet start, carding a two-under-par and finishing her opening round in 16th place and carding an even par on Friday to stay at 16th place after the first two rounds.

On moving day, Han pulled off the mental and physical stunt of carding a double bogey in the first hole then smashing through with seven birdies throughout the rest of the round. With her explosive performance of 67 in the third round, Han jumped up to a tied second place, three strokes behind leader Ahn Sun-ju.

Thirty-five-year-old Ahn, who was looking for her eighth KLPGA title, crashed out of contention on Sunday with a birdiless round, carding five bogies to fall down to a tied eight place.

In the final round, Han pulled off the similar stunt that she did on Sunday. After carding pars in the first three holes, she slipped in the par-5 fourth carding her first bogey of the round.

But that bogey turned out to be her last, as she once again smashed her way through, carding five bogies, but this time ending with her first-ever trophy.

“I think I let many opportunities to win slide by until now, and so I am very happy to win,” said Han on Sunday.

“I grew up in Sokcho, Gangwon, and so it feels special to win here in my hometown.”

This victory also provides some consolation for Han who missed the cut in three consecutive events — the Mediheal · Hankookilbo Championship, the Nexen · SaintNine Masters 2022 and the CreaS F&C The 44th KLPGA Championship — all this April.

“The beginning of this year was the hardest for me,” said Han.

“I didn’t think I had particularly many problems in my game, but I was very exhausted after missing the cut three times in a row. I even thought that this year might be my last in golf. But today’s win gives me hope.”

With Han’s first win coming with her 131th start, it is the fourth longest record in the history of the KLPGA. The golfer to take the longest period of the time until their first win was Ahn Song-yi, who won her first title in her 236th start.

“It took me a very long time to win my first title,” said Han.

“There were many opportunities in my rookie season. I even went to the playoffs, but it never ended very well. People around me also awaited this win for so long.”

The KLPGA Tour continues Thursday with the third KLPGA major tournament of the 2022 season, teeing off at Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon.

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