Jeong Yun-ji (26, NH Investment & Securities) is set to defend her title at the Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Women's Open on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.
The Sh Suhyup Bank MBN Women's Open will be held over three days from May 29 to 31 at The Star Hue Golf & Resort (par 72) in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. A total of 120 players will compete for a 1 billion won prize purse, with 180 million won going to the winner.
Jeong returns as defending champion after claiming a wire-to-wire victory at last year's tournament, her second career win that came three years after her first.
Jeong has competed in nine events this season, making the cut six times. She recorded two top-10 finishes, tying for 10th at the Rejuran Championship in March and tying for third at the Nexen Saintnine Masters in April. After missing the cut at last week's E1 Charity Open, she is looking to bounce back at a tournament where she has fond memories.
"It is an honor and a privilege to return as defending champion after some time, carrying the special memory of last year's wire-to-wire victory," Jeong said. "I will immerse myself in the process and rhythm, focus on every shot, and play golf that is true to who I am."
With nine different winners crowned in the first nine KLPGA Tour events this season, attention is also focused on which player will become the first to claim a second victory of the year.
Jaravee Boonchant, who became the first Thai golfer to win on the KLPGA regular tour at the previous E1 Charity Open, is aiming to ride that momentum to back-to-back victories.
"I want to carry the good vibes into this tournament. I'll enjoy the process of chasing consecutive wins, trust my game and play without regret," Boonchant said. "I'll focus on the accuracy of my tee shots and on short putts."
Yu Hyun-jo, Bang Shin-sil and Im Jin-young, who have also each won once this season, will likewise be looking to add to their title count.
Park Hyun-kyung and Jeon Ye-seong, who have shown consistent performances without a victory this season, as well as Lee Yul-lin, the runner-up at the E1 Charity Open, are also among the entrants.
Past champions in the field include Park Min-ji, who won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020, and 2022 champion Lee So-young, in addition to Jeong.
Money list leader Kim Min-sol is taking the week off ahead of her appearance at the U.S. Women's Open, while second-ranked Lee Ye-won will compete on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour.
