Veteran Shin Jiae's Grueling Journey... From the U.S. to Yangju

Competing at the 40th Mercedes-Benz Korean Women's Open
First domestic appearance in 14 months since last year's Doosan Construction event
Returning home right after the U.S. Women's Open, aiming for her 21st win in Korea

It is a rigorous schedule for veteran golfer Shin Jiae.

She will compete at the 40th Mercedes-Benz Korean Women's Open, a national title event and domestic major tournament co-hosted by the Korea Golf Association and Mercedes-Benz Korea. The tournament will take place over four days starting June 11 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province (par 71, 6,663 yards). This is the first major tournament of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season.

Jin Jiae challenges for victory at the 40th Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Korean Women's Open has scaled up this year. The total prize money has been increased to 1.5 billion won, with the winner's prize raised to 400 million won. Last year, the total prize money was 1.2 billion won and the winner's prize was 300 million won. The winner of the tournament will earn entry to the AIG Women's Open, one of the major events on the U.S. LPGA Tour, as well as to the Japan Women's Open Championship, the national title event in Japan.

Shin Jiae, who plays on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, is keeping a busy schedule. Immediately after the U.S. Women's Open last week, she boarded a flight to Korea. This marks her first appearance in a domestic tournament in one year and two months, since the Doosan Construction We’ve Championship in April of last year. She is returning to the Korean Women's Open for the first time in 18 years, since her win in 2008.

The competition for the championship will be fierce. LPGA member and defending champion Lee Dong-eun is aiming for back-to-back victories. Other notable participants from the KLPGA Tour include Park Hyunkyung, who has accumulated eight career wins, as well as Seo Gyolim, Park Minji, Bang Shinsil, Yoo Hyunjo, Lee Yewon, Kim Minseon, Kim Minsol, Ko Jiwon, Lim Jinyoung, and Kim Minsol, all of whom have been listed on the entry roster.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.