Kim Min-sol and Choi Ye-rim Share Lead After Third Round at KLPGA Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship

Kim Min-sol, who is aiming to become the first rookie in Korea Women's Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour history to secure four wins in her debut season, maintained her lead after the third round of the Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship (total purse of 1.2 billion KRW).

Playing the third round at the Myeongseongsan Course (par 72) of Montvert Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, today (August 15), Kim carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par 68.

With a 54-hole total of 13-under 203, Kim tied with Choi Ye-rim for the top spot.

Kim secured two wins on the KLPGA Tour last year, but because she received her seed after the middle of the season and did not meet the 50 percent participation requirement, she is competing under rookie status this year. She is now eyeing the unprecedented feat of four wins as a rookie on the KLPGA Tour.

Having triumphed at the iM Financial Open in April, the Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open in June, and the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open, she already stands as the dominant player of this season, leading in prize money (989.62 million KRW), grand prix points (313 points), and rookie of the year points (1,621 points).

A victory in this tournament would fully solidify her status as the undisputed top player alongside a historic milestone.

Kim, who held the sole lead at 9-under through the second round, started the day with pars through the first six holes before picking up her first birdie on the 7th hole (par 4). She followed up by sinking an approximately 11-meter birdie putt on the 8th hole (par 3) for back-to-back birdies.

After picking up another shot on the 10th hole (par 4) and dropping her only bogey of the day on the 13th hole (par 4), she bounced back with consecutive birdies on the 14th hole (par 5) and 15th hole (par 3) to set the stage for the final round.

Reflecting on her round, Kim said, "With strong winds and trickier pin placements than yesterday, I tried to play safely. My shot feeling wasn't quite as perfect as I wanted, but overall I finished well."

She added, "As I have the opportunity to compete in the championship flight once again, I will do my best every moment to achieve a good result in the final round."

Choi Ye-rim, who surged into a share of the lead with a blistering 7-under round today, made her regular tour debut in 2018 and has played in 235 events without a win.

Having finished as the runner-up nine times in her career—including at the McCol·Mona Yongpyong Open in June won by Kim—Choi will battle for the title alongside Kim in the final championship flight.

Choi remarked, "My iron shots went just as I planned, and my putts cooperated, allowing me to play a great game. Tomorrow, rather than trying too hard, I will focus on mind control and play just as I have been doing."

Lee Ji-hyun vaulted into third place, two shots off the lead at 11-under 205, after firing a 9-under round that tied the course record. Seo Gyo-rim, who sits second behind Kim in both prize money and grand prix points following her two wins this season, shot a 6-under to jump to fourth place at 10-under 206.

Lee Da-yeon and Lee Ga-young tied for fifth place at 9-under 207, while Noh Seung-hee, An Ji-hyun, and Kim Seo-yun shared seventh place at 8-under 208.

Kim A-rim of the LPGA Tour, competing in her sponsor's tournament, shot a 5-under in the third round to finish in a tie for tenth at 7-under 209 alongside Yoo Hyun-jo and Bang Shin-sil.

An Song-yi, who reached the historic milestone of becoming the first player in KLPGA Tour history to achieve her 300th cut made during this tournament, tied for 42nd at 2-under 214 after completing her third round.

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