Kim Su-ji looks to defend title at Hana Financial Group Championship

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Kim Su-ji looks to defend title at Hana Financial Group Championship

Published: 20 Sep. 2023, 15:21 Updated: 20 Sep. 2023, 19:42

PAIK JI-HWAN
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Kim Su-ji hits a shot during the Hanwha Classic at Jade Palace Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon on Aug. 27. [NEWS1]

The Hana Financial Group Championship tees off Thursday at Bear’s Best Cheongna in Incheon with defending champion Kim Su-ji and multiple prominent golfers around the world joining the field.

First started in 2019, the tournament runs on two tours: The KLPGA and the Ladies Asian Tour. This year’s edition includes a number of golfers across from Asia like Yokomine Sakura from Japan, who has 23 JLPGA titles.

Three LPGA golfers — Lydia Ko of New Zealand, Minjee Lee of Australia and Jaravee Boonchant of Thailand — are competing in the tournament as Hana Financial Group is their main sponsor. Lee and Ko are some of the biggest names in golf, as they are ranked in seventh and ninth respectively on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.

Defending champion Kim will join the field in solid form, having secured one title at the Hanwha Classic last month and finished in 16th at the OK Financial Group Atman Open last week.

Kim Su-ji takes home trophy at Hanwha Classic, her second major award

“I feel like my shots and putts have been good overall since winning my first title of the season,” Kim said during a pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. “Since I won it last year, I know this course well and am confident that I can do well. The course also suits my style.”

If she wins, Kim will be the first-ever golfer to defend the title.

To make the tournament more competitive, Ma Da-som is also competing after winning her first-ever title at the OK Financial Group Atman Open last week.

“I gained confidence after winning the title,” Ma said. “I personally like this tournament’s course, but I have to be careful when the wind blows. I will work to make a good result this week again with the good flow from last week’s victory.”

The Hana Championship may see another first-time winner. This season has seen nine golfers who have secured a title for the first time in their career so far, making it the season with the second-most first-time winners after the 2017 season, which had 10.

Kim Woo-jeong paired with Lee Seung-yeon and You Hyo-ju will be the first to tee off on the first hole at 8 a.m., the same time Han Ji-won alongside Kim Seo-yoon2 and Lee Se-hee start on the 10th hole.

Kim Su-ji will then tee off with Ma and Minjee Lee at 11:10 a.m. on the first hole.

About two months of the 2023 KLPGA tour remain, with the SK Shields SK Telecom Championship being the last tournament of the year, in November.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]