'Ten Years Since Debut' Jang Eun-so sheds tears of victory, claiming career-first win at KLPGA Jeju Samdasoo Tournament

*This content was translated by AI.

Jang Eun-so (28, Goodvins) achieved a dramatic comeback in the final round to claim her first-ever victory on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in her 10th year since debut.

On the 9th at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort (par 72) in Seogwipo, Jeju, Jang shot a 3-under-par 69 with three birdies and no bogeys during the final fourth round of the KLPGA Tour Jeju Samdasoo Masters (total prize money 1 billion won).

Finishing with a total of 14-under-par 274, Jang edged out co-leaders Moon Jung-min (Dongbu Construction) and Kang Chae-yeon (Pacific Rings), both at 13-under-par 275, by one stroke to claim the title.

Starting the tournament tied for 30th place, Jang cut five strokes in the second round to move up to a tie for ninth, then reduced her score by another five strokes in the third round to enter the final day tied for second.

Jang began the final round in the championship group one stroke behind rookie Kang Chae-yeon. She reduced her score by sinking a roughly 6-meter birdie putt on the 3rd hole (par 3), then moved into a tie for the lead when Kang missed a short putt on the 12th hole (par 4).

On the following 14th hole (par 3), Jang and Kang both birdied, continuing their battle for the lead. Jang took sole possession of first place by reducing her score on the 16th hole (par 4). While Moon Jung-min birdied back-to-back holes on the 17th and 18th to close within one stroke, Jang calmly held par to secure the victory.

Jang joined the KLPGA Tour in 2017, finishing as runner-up once that year and reaching the top 10 ten times, earning the Rookie of the Year award with confidence.

However, she experienced ups and downs afterward. She finished as runner-up again the following year but did not win a tournament until this season despite competing through last year.

In her first top-10 finish of the season during the ninth tournament of the year, Jang had previously finished as runner-up at the Inca Financial The Heaven Masters in June for the first time in eight years, finally securing her first victory after 187 tournaments. She earned a prize money of 180 million won.

Over ten years, she alternated between the regular tour and Dream Tour (second division), winning three times on the Dream Tour but only finishing as runner-up three times on the regular tour without a victory—until finally claiming the crown after a decade.

Kang Chae-yeon, who held sole possession of the lead for two days, managed to reduce her score by one stroke with two birdies and one bogey today, settling for runner-up. For the second consecutive year, she had to be content with second place at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters.

Moon Jung-min, who shot eight birdies and one bogey to cut five strokes today, climbed 10 spots from the previous day to finish as runner-up.

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*This content was translated by AI.