The fifth tournament of the KLPGA 2023 season, ‘Nexen Saint Nine Masters 2023’ (total prize money of 800 million won, championship prize of 144 million won) is held at Gaya Country Club (par 72/6,818 yards) located in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. It will be held for three days from the 21st (Fri).
The ‘Nexen Saint Nine Masters’, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, is renowned as the best golf festival in Busan and Gyeongnam. Except for the last 2021 season, which was held without spectators being allowed to enter due to the influence of Corona 19, this tournament was held so popular that about 20,000 cloud galleries gathered every year, and it has established itself as a symbolic tournament of the KLPGA. Last year, about 23,000 galleries visited the venue and sent enthusiastic cheers.
The reason why ‘Nexen Saint Nine Masters’ enjoys high popularity is that it has played a role as a ‘gateway to stardom’ by creating the best players. While the 10th tournament was held, the face of the past champions who became superstars through this tournament is more splendid than any other.
Yang Soo-jin (32), a fashionista on the field, and Baek Gyu-gyu (28), who won attention as super rookies by recording three wins right after their debut, and who were reborn as Cinderella by winning the LPGA tournament in a surprise that year, are the first and second winners of this tournament. In addition, Jinyoung Ko (28, Solaire) and Seonghyeon Park (30, Solaire), who are world No. 1 in the world rankings, won the tournament and commanded the world beyond the KLPGA tour, winning the Nexen Saint Nine Masters = Golf Empress. He also created a formula called ‘rising’.
In addition, prominent winners representing KLPGA such as Kim Si-won (28, Ankang Construction), Lee So-young (26, Lotte), Lee Seung-yeon (25, SK Networks), Park Min-ji (25, NH Investment & Securities), Yoo Hae-ran (22, Daol Financial Group) It has been produced, but since 2013, when the tournament was first held, not allowing a single player to win the glory also catches the attention of golf fans.
While last year’s winner Yoo Hae-ran did not participate in the tournament as she moved to the LPGA, and Park Min-ji, the winner of the 2021 season, also announced that she would not participate in the tournament, Kim Si-won, Lee So-young, and Lee Seung-yeon among the past winners competed to become the first winners in the tournament’s history. ahead of
It is not just past winners who are aiming to win this tournament. Among the total of 120 contestants, the first player to catch the eye is Lee Joo-mi (28, Golden Blue), who succeeded in winning the ‘148th class of 147 matches’ by winning the first surprise victory in the previous competition.
Lee Joo-mi shyly revealed her feelings about winning, “I’m still confused whether it’s just a dream or not, but after coming down to my hometown of Busan for this tournament and receiving congratulations from many people,” Joo-mi Lee shyly revealed her feelings about winning, “I’m looking forward to it as it’s my first tournament to participate in after winning.” It’s close to home, so it’s a burden. I think I have to hold on to my excitement as much as possible, so I set the goal to pass the cut,” he added with a humble determination.
Lee Joo-mi continued, “Last week, I had good putts in rounds 1 and 2, and in rounds 3 and 4, I was able to win because my shots were good, but I feel like I’m getting better, so I’m looking forward to this tournament as well.” I will show good results with a strategy to pay attention and win with putts.”
The players who are trying to stop Lee Joo-mi from winning the championship for two weeks in a row are also showing hot performance. First of all, won the 2023 season opener ‘Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open’, took second place in the domestic opener ‘Lotte Rent-a-Car Women’s Open’ held about 4 months later, and ranked 8th in the ‘Mediheal Hankook Ilbo Championship’ held last week. Park Ji-young (27, Korea Land Trust), who is ranked first in prize money, grand prize, and average at-bats, threw her vote for the first win this season.
Park Hyeon-gyeong (23, Korea Real Estate Trust), who has not yet won a championship this season, but has shown steady performance in the past four competitions and has recorded three top-tens, and Jeon Ye-seong (22, Angang Construction) is also considered as a strong candidate for the championship in this competition.
In particular, Park Hyun-kyung, who has passed the cut in 51 consecutive competitions, from the’Celltrion Queen’s Masters’ held in June of the 2021 season to the’Mediheal Hankook Ilbo Championship’ held last week, said, “It’s a style that doesn’t have many ups and downs, so it’s a series of cuts. I think I was able to do it,” he said. “I have good shots and putts right now, and I have enough stamina because it is early in the season, so I will try to improve my shots and condition rather than worrying about records in this tournament.”
Next, Park Hyun-kyung revealed the strategy, “It’s not easy because the battlefield is long, but I will definitely create opportunities in short holes and play long holes stably so that I don’t lose strokes.” be there. You will be with us in this competition as well, but as much as I feel good at the beginning of the season, I will do my best to show a better image to the fans in this competition.”
Jeon Ye-seong, who has been performing the best since the beginning of the season, is also very determined. Jeon Ye-seong said, “The feeling of shooting has improved a lot, and above all, my concentration has really improved. He expressed his confidence that if he continues like now, he will be able to win. “The battlefield is long, but I will safely send my tee shot to the center of the fairway and increase the par on rate to solve it easily. We ask for your support.”
Lee Jung-min (31, Hanwha Q Cells), who won the second competition of the 2023 season, ‘PLK Pacific Rings Korea Championship with SBS Golf’, and Lee Ye-won (20, KB Financial Group), winner of the domestic opening game ‘Lotte Rent-A-Car Women’s Open’, through this competition Lee So-young, who has been struggling in every competition since the beginning of this season to break the jinx of winning only in even-numbered years, Hong Jeong-min (21, CJ) and Choi Ye-rim (24, SK) Networks) is also determined to continue a good trend in this tournament.
It is also worth paying attention to the competition between the rookies, who have been on fire since the beginning of the season. While Kim Min-byeol (19, Hite Jinro), who is highly anticipated, is leading with 337 points in the Rookie of the Year award thanks to last week’s performance, aggressive play with Kim Seo-yoon 2 (21, Celltrion), the prize money king of the Dream Tour in the 2022 season Hwang Yoo-min (20, Lotte), who is currently ranked first in the ‘drive distance’, will play a real sword game again this time.
Kim Min-byeol, who is currently ranked #1 in rookie award points, said, “I am a rookie, so I participate in every tournament with the idea of adapting to the tour, and I plan to participate in this tournament with the same mindset. “I will play without regret,” he said. “It was a heartbreaking mistake to miss a short par putt on the last hole of the last tournament, but I learned a good lesson to concentrate until the end. From this tournament, he is determined not to lose his concentration until he takes off his gloves.”
Next, Kim Min-byeol said, “This is my first tournament at Gaya Country Club, and I will decide whether to attack safely or aggressively through the practice round before playing.” It’s good. It’s the first time I’ve participated in a tournament every week, so it feels a bit difficult, but I’m looking forward to it because my condition isn’t bad.”
In addition, Ahn Seon-joo (36, National Beef), a ‘twin mother golfer’ who showed a good appearance at the beginning of the season and is recording 6th and 8th place in the target points, and Jung Yoon-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities), who recorded her first win in tears last year, also this tournament. Aiming for the first win of the season through , Aromi Kim (25) and Sae-Romi Kim (25), twin sister golfers who have been sponsored by the Nexen Group since this season, are determined to do well in sponsored competitions.
Among the nine junior players run by the Nexen Group, amateur Kim Jin-ah (16) and Jeong Seo-rin (13) are attracting attention by participating in this competition. The Nexen Group is operating a junior team that awards scholarships of up to 10 million won a year depending on tournament performance, as well as Saint Nine golf balls and supplies to junior players. Last March, a clinic was set up where junior players could dream bigger while having rounds and meals with Baek Gyu-gyu, the winner of the 2014 Nexen Saint Nine Masters.
Various special awards prepared for the 120 players participating in this event are also notable. The winner is given a ‘Beauty/Healthcare Device Package’ provided by Cell Return as a prize, and players who break the course record (8 under par 64 strokes) set by Siwon Kim in the first round of the 2014 main event will receive an annual pass to Gaya Country Club. provided as an injury.
There are also various prizes given to the first hole-in-one. In the 2nd hole, the ‘Mercedes Benz EQB300 4Matic’ worth 75 million won provided by Gyeongnam Motors took place, and in the 6th hole, the ‘Frederique Constant Manufacture Tour’ worth 33 million won provided by Frederique Constant, a luxury watch brand. cost’. Finally, if you score a hole-in-one on the 13th hole, you will receive a ‘Saint Nine Apparel Gift Certificate’ worth 20 million won.
In addition, this tournament attracts attention by providing injuries to the first four players who recorded an eagle per round in par 5 holes (holes 3, 9, 10, and 16) and up to 12 players in total in three rounds. The first player to record an eagle on each of the four par 5 holes for three days will receive a ‘Frederique Constant Classic Quartz Chronograph’ worth KRW 2.2 million.
Donation activities are also conducted to accumulate donations by designating a ‘Saint Nine Zone’ on the fairway of hole 10. If the tee shot goes into the ‘Saint Nine Zone’, the player deducts 100,000 won from his prize money (only for players who passed the cut), and the Nexen Group donates 100,000 won, accumulating a total donation of 200,000 won. Funds accumulated until the final round will be donated to golf-related schools in Busan/Gyeongnam.
In addition to such considerate and abundant support for participating players, a variety of events for passionate golf fans in the Busan-Gyeongnam region are prepared, attracting more attention than ever.
First of all, the ‘Nexen Saint Nine Masters 2023 Screen Golf Tournament’, which will be held for golf zone members until April 30 (Sunday), with a total of 10 million won worth of prizes, such as Nexen Tire N’Fera Supreme vouchers, will be held. The Sineo/Nakdong course of Gaya Country Club was applied to the screen as it is, allowing golf fans to feel the pleasure of experiencing a real tournament.
In addition, the organizer held a contest in which golf fans directly created the slogan of ‘Nexen Saint Nine Masters 2023’, which gained great popularity, and through Saint Nine’s official Instagram and Nexen Tire’s Facebook, the winner was guessed, screen golf competition certification, etc. Since they are communicating with fans through various participatory events, they are receiving great interest even before the start of the competition.
In addition,토스카지노 ‘Nexen St. Nine Masters’, which is a leader in character and color ball marketing, is embroidered with splendor and unique colors throughout the venue. Added a fun factor. Saint Nine’s 9 mental mates will be designated as representative characters for 18 holes, and will delight the eyes of golf fans attending the event.
Hosted by Nexen Tire Co., Ltd. and Nexen Co., Ltd. and supervised by KLPGT, this tournament will be broadcast live every round through host broadcasters SBS Golf, Naver, LG U+, and Spokey.