Players predict wind will be key factor in LPGA event at S. Korean seaside course

Seoul, on October 21st, saw the LPGA Tour head to another seaside course in South Korea for its second consecutive stop. The BMW Ladies Championship will take place from Thursday to Sunday at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, located in the Jeonnam-Gwangju region approximately 330 kilometers south of Seoul. The par-72 course features several greens and tee boxes positioned along the beach and atop seaside cliffs, making it challenging for players due to potential windy conditions, especially with rain forecasted for Saturday and Sunday.

Defending champion Kim Sei-young, speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, expressed confidence that practicing in windy conditions would benefit her during the tournament. She mentioned being able to navigate through gusts of wind during her previous appearance, which helped her secure her title with a four-round total of 24-under 264.

World No. 3 Ryu Hae-ran, currently enjoying an unforgettable year with two major titles and eight top-10 finishes, echoed the importance of practicing in windy conditions. She acknowledged that despite being from the area, she was still adjusting to playing in coastal winds, as she has only played on links courses in England and Scotland. Ryu is currently in contention for the Vare Trophy, which is awarded to the golfer with the lowest scoring average, and is ranked second in the Vare through 57 rounds.

Choi Hye-jin, who narrowly missed earning her maiden LPGA title in Shanghai, remained optimistic about her upcoming tournament. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has had, despite a disappointing final round in Shanghai. Choi, who has made 125 starts in her career, emphasized the importance of adjusting to different weather conditions, noting that the wind impacted scores in every round at last year's BMW Ladies Championship.

Two Korean LPGA Tour players, Kim Min-sol and Seo Kyo-rim, will join the field of 15 domestic players. Kim, the current leader in South Korean tour money and Rookie of the Year points, tied for 10th at the 2022 BMW Ladies Championship. Seo, who holds a larger lead over Kim in Player of the Year points, expressed her goal of turning professional and competing on the U.S. tour if she wins the BMW Ladies Championship.