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(Chuncheon = Yonhap News) Reporter Gyu-Bin Hong = Jung-Min Hong was shocked by the defeat she suffered from Shin-Sil Bang on the first day of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour Doosan Match Play Championship (total prize of 900 million Won).
There was also a come-from-behind loss in the last 18th hole (par 5), but it was because it was Hong Jung-min’s first loss in a match play competition.
Last year, Hong Jung-min participated in this tournament for the first time and won the championship with an undefeated streak.
Hong Jeong-min, who advanced to the finals with 2 wins and 1 draw, caused a stir by defeating Park Min-ji in the round of 16 and defeated top players such as Song Ga-eun and Lim Hee-jung one after another.It was his first win in his career.
However, after a year, he was embarrassed when he started the first day with a defeat in this year’s tournament, which he participated in as a defending champion.
After confirming his advance to the round of 16 on the 19th, Hong Jung-min looked back and said, “It was a really tough match for three days (after the defeat). The bitter taste of defeat gave me an opportunity to grit my teeth and work hard.
Hong Jung-min showed his back in the 3rd match of the group stage and took the match against Bang Shin-sil to overtime.
Hong Jung-min, who had 1 win and 1 loss in the group stage, defeated Lee Chae-eun, and Bang Shin-sil, who had 2 wins, was caught by Seo Yeon-jung, and the two teams became equal.
And he dropped a birdie putt in the 11th hole (par 4) of the second overtime period to get a ticket to the round of 16.
Hong Jung-min recalled, “I tried to make up for the wedge shot that didn’t go well in the first round, and it fit well.”
Now, he is aiming for his second win in his personal career and his first title defense in the tournament.
No player has yet won the championship two years in a row in this event, which celebrated its 15th this year.
Hong Jung-min, who said, “I’m not less nervous just because I won last year,” said, “I think it’s important to endure with mental strength. I’m going to eat Samgyetang at a nearby restaurant and try to replenish my stamina.”
‘Rising star’ Bang Shin-sil was unable to continue the sensation of finishing 4th in the Chris F&C KLPGA Championship last month and 3rd in the NH Investment & Securities Championship last week.
