Kim Min-sol Takes Solo Lead in 2nd Round of KLPGA Mediheal Championship... Pursuing 'First Rookie to Win 4 Times in a Season'

KLPGA Tour rising star Kim Min-sol has brightened her chances of achieving an unprecedented four wins as a rookie.

During the second round of the Mediheal-Hankook Ilbo Championship held at the Myeongseongsan Course of Montvert Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, Kim carded 6-under-par 66, featuring eight birdies and a double bogey.

Having finished tied for seventh at 3-under-par in the first round the previous day, Kim climbed to the sole lead with a total of 9-under-par 135.

She sits one stroke ahead of Lee Da-yeon and Noh Seung-hee, who are tied for second place at 8-under-par.

Kim, who secured two wins on the KLPGA Tour last year but competed as a rookie this year after failing to meet the 50% participation requirement due to receiving her seed midway through the season, has already claimed three wins this year.

Having conquered the iM Financial Open in April, the Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open in June, and the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open, she currently leads in prize money, Player of the Year points, and rookie points.

After finishing tied for 53rd at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters last week, the first tournament of the second half of the season, Kim reached the halfway point of this tournament near the top of the leaderboard, opening up the possibility of her fourth win of the season.

If Kim claims one more victory this year, she will become the first player in KLPGA Tour history to achieve four wins in a rookie season.

Previously, Lim Hee-jung in 2019, Baek Kyu-jung in 2014, Shin Ji-yai in 2006, and Lee Mi-na in 2002 each achieved three wins during their rookie seasons, a record Kim has currently tied.

Starting from the 10th hole, Kim gained momentum by picking up five birdies alone on the front nine.

She continued her strong performance with consecutive birdies on the 1st and 2nd holes on the back nine, but stumbled after recording a double bogey on the par-5 3rd hole.

Her third shot from the fairway, with about 131 meters remaining to the hole, went out of bounds, resulting in a loss of two strokes on that hole alone.

However, Kim did not shake significantly and added another birdie on the 6th hole.

Five players, including An Ji-hyun, Ma Da-som, Kim Seo-yoon, Lee Ga-young, and Choi Ye-rim, tied for fourth place at 6-under-par, while Bang Shin-sil, Lee Ye-won, and Ko Ji-won finished the second round tied for 19th at 3-under-par.

(Photo provided by KLPGA, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.