"During the break, I sufficiently refined the parts that were problems in the first half, such as my iron shots. I want to win back-to-back titles at this tournament and gain momentum for a strong second half."
Defending champion Bae So-hyun (Mediheal) expressed this resolve at a press conference held on the 29th, ahead of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour's Aurora World Championship (total prize money of 1 billion won), which begins on the 30th at Aurora Golf & Resort (par 72) in Wonju, Gangwon Province.
The KLPGA Tour resumes its season schedule with the Aurora World Ladies Championship opening on the 30th, following a two-week break after the High1 Resort Women's Open, which ended on the 12th of this month.
In the first tournament of the 2025 season, Bae So-hyun carded 19-under 269 to edge out Ko Ji-won (Samchully) by one stroke to claim victory. Bae, who soared with three wins in the 2024 season, endured a difficult stretch in the 2025 season, finishing in the top 10 only twice in 14 tournaments before this event, then succeeded in reaching her fourth career win with her victory here.
Bae is struggling this season, ranked 53rd on the money list (113.31 million won). She aims to rebound once again through a win. "Since I've returned to a place where I have good memories from last season, my condition is really good," she said. "I will do my best to make this a tournament where I can wash away the disappointment I felt from not producing good results in the first half."
Park Hyun-kyung (Mediheal) and Seo Kyo-rim (Samchully), who also appeared at the press conference that day, openly revealed their ambitions for the crown. Park, who broke free from a winless run this season by winning the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour's Earth Mondahmin Cup (total prize money of 400 million yen) last month, is determined to advance one step closer to her season goal of "10 career wins" through a victory at this tournament. "Early in the season, I struggled because a grip problem reduced my iron shot accuracy, and I began corrections in mid-June," she said. "My shots improved afterward, which allowed me to win the tournament in Japan, and I want to show that good feel at this tournament as well."
Seo Kyo-rim, who has won twice this season (June's Celltrion Queens Masters and Inca Financial The Heaven Masters) and ranks second on the money list (740.21 million won) and second in points for the season award (277 points), also shyly revealed her desire for a win. "During the break, there were many events, so I couldn't practice much, but my feel is still good, so I will strive to finish the tournament with the best possible result," Seo said.
