Ladies of the Links: October 28, 2019
Oct 28th 2019
Your Weekly Ladies Golf News
LPGA Tour News
The LPGA Tour continued its southeast Asia run at the BMW Ladies Championship Korea. In the first round the leaderboard was tight with 11 players within two shots of the leader Minjee Lee, who shot a six under par round. Seung Yeon Lee was tied eagled the par-4 18th to finish in a four way tie with Jeongeun Lee6, Danielle Kang and Jin Young Ko at minus-five. Seven players were another shot back at three-under par. Notables include Lydia Ko (-3), Jessica Korda (-1), Brooke Henderson (+1) and Ariya Jutanugarn, whose triple-bogey on eight lead to a round of +2.
In the second round, Danielle Kang, who won last week’s event, moved to the top of the leaderboard following a five-under par 67, which included seven birdies. At -1, she held a single shot lead of Hee Won Na and Yeon Lee. The round of the day went to Celine Boutier, who moved into a tied for 37th at the halfway point following a round of 66.Ye Jin Kim matched Boutier’s 66 with six birdies and no bogeys and was tied for 8th.Brooke Henderson moved into a tie for 30th at minus-three, while Jessica Korda struggled to a 76 and was well back at +3.
On moving day Saturday, Somi Lee shot a 67 and moved to the top along with Seung Yeon Lee at minus-13. Right on their tails was Ha Na Jang at -12. At two shots back were the trio or Amy Yang, Su Oh and second round leader Danielle Kang.Ariya Jutanugarn bounced back with her first sub-70 round of the week of 68, while Angel Yin shot the round of the day, posting a 66 which included seven birdies. Nelly Korda shot a 73, tied for 33rd and sister Jessica sat tied for 76th at plus-five.
Danielle Kang shot the round of the week on Sunday, recording eight birdies without a bogey for a 64. She needed that score to tied Ha Na Jang, who went seven-under that included six birdies, an eagle and a bogey. After both players recorded par on the first two playoff holes, Na Jang came away with the win after a birdie on the third playoff hole. For Ha Na Jang it was her fifth PGA Tour win and first since capturing the 2017 ISP Handa Women’s Australia Open. Amy Yang finished at -16, Somi Lee and In Gee Chun finished at -12, and third round leader Seung Yeon Lee dropped to tie for 9th after a 75.
The LPGA Tour heads to Chinese Taipei for the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA then to the TOTO Japan Classic before the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida November 21-24.
Ha Na Jang: Fore Ladies Golf Featured Player of the Week
Ha Na Jang had three steady rounds and shot a final round of seven under par and ultimately won in a three-hole playoff over Danielle Kang to claim the BMW Ladies Championship. For the 27-year old from Seoul, South Korea, it was her fifth LPGA Tour victory.
Na Jang turned professional in 2010 and has been a member of the LPGA Tour of Korea. Her first victory on the Korean Tour came at the 2012 KB Financial STAR Championship by a single shot over a trio of players. Na Jang enjoyed the best season of her career in 2013 winning four times and topping the money list.
In 2015, Na Jang joined the LPGA Tour and narrowly missed her fist victory, losing in a playoff to Chella Choi at the Marathon Classic. She broke through in 2016, earning her first win at the Coates Golf Championship, along with two more wins at the HSBC Women’s Champions, and Fubron LPGA Taiwan Championship.
Despite claiming her fourth LPGA Tour title at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in February of 2017, Na Jang rescinded her LPGA Tour membership, returning to the Korean Tour. Although without a win the rest of 2017, Na Jang won twice in 2018, increasing her Korean Tour victory total to 11.
Despite her success on the Korean Tour, Ha Na Jang has had limited success in major championships. Her best finishes are a tie for third at the 2014 Evian Championship and tie for fifth at the 2016 Women’s British Open. In 18 career major starts, Na Jang has three missed cuts and two top-ten finishes.
Ha Na Jang is currently 56th in the Rolex Rankings. After returning to Korea in 2017 to be closer to home, the victory this weeks leaves her with a big decision. She can immediately return to the LPGA Tour or claim her membership at the start of the 2020 season.
