Ji breaks through at Wegmans
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2008 Wegmans LPGA | Round Four | 23 Jun 2008
22-year-old Eun-Hee Ji became yet another first time Korean winner on the LPGA Tour when she produced a final round of 67 to win the Wegmans LPGA event at the Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York.
Ji, who is in her first full season on the LPGA Tour, defeated third round leader and world number three, Suzann Pettersen, by two shots, overcoming a three shot, third round deficit to do so.
Ji has been a professional since late in 2004 but has played most of her golf on the Korean Ladies Tour and the Ladies Asian Tour since. With only limited access to the LPGA Tour in 2007, she was still able to gain starts in events such as the Evian Masters, the Women’s British Open (5th place) and the Canadian Open.
It would, however, be her runner up finish at the co-sanctioned LPGA Tour event in Korea that would see her gain full status on the LPGA Tour in 2008.
Ironically it was Suzann Pettersen who she finished behind in that weather reduced event in Korea but this time she gained revenge on the Norwegian when she produced the day’s second best round to win comfortably. While her final round was impressive given its timing and importance, it was her brilliant third round of 64 that created the platform for the win.
Pettersen was perhaps disappointing on the final day but she will be encouraged by her form over much of the week, especially given the looming US Women’s Open starting this Thursday in Minnesota.
Jeong Jang continued her great season when she finished third along with yet another Korean, Hee-Won Han.
Defending US Women’s Open Champion, Cristie Kerr, indicated that her game was in the right shape to defend the title with a solid week, while the world number one, Lorena Ochoa, had a another good tournament with a 6th.
Michelle Ellis was the only Australian to make the weekend but she finished well back in 63rd position.
