Park Hyun-kyung, 26, of Medihill, who finished runner-up in her last two tournaments, is aiming to capture her first win of the season by reclaiming the Match Queen title for the first time in two years.
Park was grouped with Shin Da-in, Seo Eo-jin and Jung So-i in the draw held Wednesday at Ladena Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the venue of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour's Doosan Match Play, which carries a total purse of 1 billion won.
"Last year at this event, I wanted to play into the weekend but had to leave Saturday morning," Park said, referring to her tied-ninth finish. "This year I want to play longer than last year." She added, "I'm relieved I'm the oldest in my group. The younger players feel more comfortable that way. My form has been improving compared to the start of the season, so I expect a good result."
Park, who won this event in 2024, has finished solo second in back-to-back tournaments out of her six starts this year. At the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship that concluded Monday at Suwon Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, she lost by one stroke to LPGA Tour member Kim Hyo-joo, postponing her first win of the season and ninth career title.
Defending Doosan Match Play champion Lee Ye-won was placed in a group with Lee Chae-eun, Kim Woo-jung and Lee Se-hee. "I won last year, and I come into this tournament with good feelings because my results have been strong every year. I want to play the weekend again this year," Lee said. Lee, who has the highest career win rate in this event at 83.3 percent with 20 wins and four losses, said, "If there's a driving force, it's that I focus on my own game without being swayed by my opponent's play."
Bang Shin-sil, grouped with Kim Min-sol, Moon Jung-min and Kim Ji-soo, said, "I'm in trouble. They're all players in good form lately, so it'll be tough. Still, I'll do my best."
Beyond Bang's group, other "groups of death" include Group 12 with Jung Yun-ji, Seo Kyo-rim, Hyun Se-rin and Kim Jae-hee; Group 15 with Lim Hee-jung, Bae So-hyun, Lim Jin-young and Yang Hyo-jin; and Group 16 with Kim Min-ju, Kim Si-hyun, Park Min-ji and Ahn Sun-ju.
The tournament, featuring 64 players, runs for five days from Thursday. The field is divided into 16 groups of four, with group winners advancing to the round of 16. The winner's prize is 250 million won.
In the opening round of group play Thursday, Park Min-ji will face Kim Si-hyun, a junior at the same sponsor, NH Investment & Securities, while Lim Hee-jung meets Yang Hyo-jin, Bae So-hyun takes on Lim Jin-young, Sung Yu-jin faces Jo A-yeon, and Bang Shin-sil plays Kim Ji-soo. Park Hyun-kyung will meet Jung So-i.
