Park Min-ji, Seeking Record for Most Wins, Ties for Lead on First Day of Hana Financial Group Championship

Park Min-ji, who shares the record for the most wins in Korea Women's Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour history with 20 victories, has raised expectations for setting a new record by tying for the lead on the first day of the Hana Financial Group Championship.

Playing in the first round of the tournament held at The Heaven CC in Daebudo, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Park shot 3-under-par with one eagle, four birdies, and three bogies, placing her in a tie for the lead alongside Sung Yu-jin.

Park, who secured her 20th career regular tour victory by winning the Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Ladies Open last May—becoming only the third player in history to reach the milestone following the late Ku Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ai—needs just one more win to establish a new record for the most career victories.

Sung Yu-jin, who has four career regular tour wins, also finished at 3-under-par to share the lead with Park.

Park Bo-gyeom, who claimed her first career major victory alongside her fourth regular tour title by winning the KB Financial Star Championship last week, finished at 2-under-par, tying for third place one shot behind the leaders alongside Hwang Yu-min, Yoo Hyun-jo, and Lee Ju-mi.

Park Bo-gyeom recorded a hole-in-one on the par-3 8th hole, receiving a car worth 98 million won as a prize.

Hwang Yu-min, who has been competing on the LPGA Tour since this season, also made a smooth start, tying for third place.

This marks Hwang's second KLPGA Tour appearance of the year, following a tie for sixth place at the Lotte Open in July.

Defending champion Lee Da-yeon, who won the tournament last year, finished the first day at 1-over-par, while Seo Gyo-rim, who leads major categories including multiple wins (four wins), Player of the Year points, prize money rankings, and scoring average, got off to a sluggish start at 3-over-par.

The tournament, offering a total purse of 1.5 billion won and a winner's prize of 270 million won, will be held over four rounds through this coming Sunday (the 20th).

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