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South Korean field strong side for Hyundai China Ladies Open

(Xinhua)    10:34, December 12, 2014
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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 11 -- After dominating the national championship since its 2006 debut, South Korean players will look to make it nine straight wins when the Hyundai China Ladies Open tees off Friday at Mission Hills in Guangdong province.

To maintain their perfect record in the 550,000 US dollars event that is co-sanctioned between the LPGA Tour of South Korea and the China LPGA Tour, the South Koreans are fielding an arsenal of top players that includes four former defending champions.

World No. 23 Jang Ha-na comes into the tournament as the defending champion as the 23-year-old arrived here fresh off of winning her US LPGA Tour card for next season after placing equal sixth at the qualifying school last week in Florida.

The top-ranked player in the field this week is Kim Hyo-joo, the world No. 9 who burst onto the international scene in 2012 when she won the Hyundai China Ladies Open as a 17-year-old in Xiamen, two months after turning professional.

Since then, the Wonju native has gone on to amass 10 professional victories, including five titles this year in South Korea that helped her top the 2014 KLPGA money list. In addition, she also won the Evian Championship in France in May.

"The Hyundai China Ladies Open was my first win after turning pro. It seemed destiny. I think I can play this week with a good feeling," said the 19-year-old Kim.

"I wouldn't put pressure on myself to extend the Korean dominance in this event this week. In golf you must relax when you play. Now golf is my life. Each day, each week I play golf. In the meantime I go to college to study."

With the championship being the last event of the 2014 China LPGA Tour season and the first event of the 2015 KLPGA Tour season, Kim said it was important for her to get off to a strong start.

"You definitely want a better season, but it's hard to top this year. I will be happy with the same season as this year," she said. "I can use one word, 'best' , to describe my 2014 season. This is my second full season. I hadn' t expected this."

A player looking for a third Hyundai China Ladies Open crown is Kim Hye-youn. The 24-year-old posted back-to-back victories at the tournament in 2010 and 2011, but lost to Jang by one shot last year for her second runner-up finish in China.

"I feel a special connection with this event. I have had two wins and two runner-ups here," said the Dajeon native who has been winless the last three KLPGA Tour seasons. "For last two years I had a chance on Sunday. Hopefully this year I can be one better and have a hat-trick."

Other top South Koreans in the field include Lee Mi-hyang, winner of last month's Mizuno Classic in Japan, and Hur Mi-jung who claimed the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in September for her second US LPGA Tour win.

"I'm really looking forward to this week as it is my first time trip here," said the 25-year-old, Miami-based Hur. "I want to show my strongest game to the Chinese fans."

Looking to play spoiler to the strong South Korean side is Lin Xiyu, the China No. 2 who comes into the tournament leading the China LPGA Tour money list on the strength of back-to-back victories in Hainan last month.

With the tournament taking place in her native Guangdong province, the 18-year-old US LPGA Tour regular said she was better prepared for the championship after finishing a disappointing equal 50th last year.

"I haven't had good finishes here, but I have had my reasons. Last year I just came back from the US LPGA Q-School and I felt jet-lagged. This year I have had a good preparation and hopefully I can improve," said Lin who finished 81st on the US LPGA Tour money list this year in her rookie season stateside.

"I played with Kim Hyo-joo last year and she is a good player. But you know, if you want to win, you must try to beat every South Korean player."

(Editor:Du Mingming,Zhang Qian)
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