| Yoo Hae-ran checks the direction of the ball after a tee shot in the 7th round of the 2nd week of the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series held at the Highland Oaks Golf Course in Doseon, Alabama, on the morning of the 11th (Korean time). Provided by Epson Tour |
Yoo Hae-ran took the lead alone in the 7th round of the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series.
In the 7th round of the 2nd week held at Highland Oaks Golf Course (par 72) in Doseon, Alabama, USA on the morning of the 11th (Korean time), Hae-ran reduced 6 strokes to become the sole leader with a total of 25 under par and 477 strokes.
Yoo Hae-ran, who entered the 7th round in a tie for 2nd place, 4 strokes behind Izzy Gabsa (Germany), picked 6 birdies without a bogey. Gavesa was unable to reduce the number of strokes with 2 bogeys and 1 double bogey even after catching 4 birdies, so she tied for 2nd place, 2 strokes behind Arlin Krauter (Germany) and Hae-ran Yu.
After completing the 7th round, Yoo Hae-ran said, “Honestly, I wanted to do well in the Q series.” . “Today’s highlight is the last birdie I caught on the 16th hole. It is the most memorable,” he added.
Yoo Hae-ran took the lead in the Q Series, which lasted 8 rounds over two weeks, with the last round remaining, and virtually secured the right to participate in the LPGA Tour. Following Annarin last year, she is aiming for the top pass for the second year in a row. In response, Yoo Hae-ran said, “Korean golf is very strong and my seniors did very well on the LPGA Tour. The LPGA Tour card means that I am one step closer to my dream.”
The LPGA Q Series holds 8 rounds and gives the top 20 the right to participate. The 21st to 45th place will be given conditional participation and the second part of the Epson Tour. Players who finish the Q Series with a score of 46th or lower get the right to participate in the Epson Tour.
Park Geum-gang, who enjoyed two wins on the Epson Tour, also tied for 6th place with a 21-under-par 481 stroke, raising expectations for advancement to the LPGA Tour. Yoon Min-ah needs to rise in the rankings as she tied for 31st with 13 under par and 489 strokes. In addition, Hong Ye-eun and Jeon Ji-won tied for 58th with a 7-under-par 495 strokes, and Lee Mi-hyang, who won two wins on the LPGA Tour, will advance to the final eight rounds with a 5-under-par 497 strokes for 67th place.
Correspondent Oh Hae-won