LPGA Trio Set to Shine at Bears Best Cheongna

Hyojoo Kim, Hyejin Choi, and Yumin Hwang Enter the Lotte Open
Challenging for Victory at Their Sponsor's Tournament Ahead of the Major
Minsol Kim, Hyunkyung Park, Hyeonjo Yoo, and Yewon Lee Aim to Defend Home Turf

The trio of stars active on the LPGA Tour will appear in Cheongna.

World No. 3 Hyojoo Kim, along with Hyejin Choi and Yumin Hwang, will compete in the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open (total prize money: KRW 1.2 billion) held at Bears Best Cheongna (par 72) on July 2. They are taking advantage of the break in the LPGA Tour schedule this week. With their sponsor hosting the event, these overseas-based players are determined to showcase their prowess.

LPGA member Hyojoo Kim will compete in the KLPGA Tour Lotte Open, aiming for victory. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Hyojoo Kim is a powerhouse with nine career wins on the LPGA Tour. This year alone, she has played in nine tournaments, claiming two victories and finishing in the top 10 five times. She currently ranks seventh on the money list, second in CME points, third in scoring average, and third in the Player of the Year race. On the KLPGA Tour, she has also collected 14 career wins. In May, she captured the title at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship with an overwhelming performance.

Hyejin Choi, sponsored by Lotte, has achieved nine career wins in Korea, including one major title. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2022, but has yet to secure a win. Last month, she finished runner-up at the Dow Championship and has placed in the top five three times. Many believe her first LPGA Tour victory is not far off.

Yumin Hwang, who debuted on the LPGA Tour this year, is also a standout talent. After winning last October's Lotte Championship as a non-member, she is now competing in the U.S. This February, she impressed with a tie for fifth at the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She currently leads the Rookie of the Year points race.

The KLPGA members defending their home turf are equally formidable. Minsol Kim, who has claimed three victories this year and dominated the Korean circuit, Hyunkyung Park, who won last week’s Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour Earth Mondamin Cup, last year’s grand prize winner Hyunjoo Yoo, and this season’s champions Gyolim Seo, Yewon Lee, and Shin Sil Bang will all contest for the title. The winner of the Lotte Open will earn a spot in the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship.

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