Seo Kyo-rim, who is aiming for her third win of the season, finished the first day tied for the lead at the Korea Women's Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour Mediheal-Hankook Ilbo Championship.

Playing the first round of the tournament at Montevert Country Club in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, Seo shot a 5-under-par with six birdies and one bogey.

Seo, who has secured two wins this season including her first-ever tour victory and currently ranks second behind Kim Min-sol (three wins this season) in multiple wins, prize money, and Player of the Year points, got off to a flying start in her quest for her third victory of the season.


Noh Seung-hee, with three career regular tour wins, and Han Ji-won, who is still seeking her first regular tour victory, also carded a 5-under-par with six birdies and one bogey, joining Seo in a tie for the lead.

Lee Da-yeon, Kim Min-ju, and Lee Ga-young tied for fourth place at 4-under-par, while Kim Min-sol, the leader in multiple wins, prize money, and Player of the Year points, placed tied for seventh at 3-under-par.


Jang Eun-soo, who claimed an emotional first victory 10 years after her debut at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters last week, finished the opening round at 1-over-par, while defending champion Hong Jeong-min, who won last year's tournament, withdrew due to back pain.

Kim A-lim and Park Sung-hyun, who play on the U.S. circuit, are competing in this tournament as invited players, with Kim finishing the first day at 1-under-par and Park at 1-over-par.

The tournament, offering a total purse of 1.2 billion won and a winner's prize of 216 million won, will run for four rounds through Sunday, August 16.

(Photo provided by KLPGA, Yonhap News)