* Translated by AI

Starnews

Moon Ji-young, First Career Champions Tour Victory: "Still in a Daze... Gradually Realizing It"

Published:

Park Geondo

*This content was translated by AI.

Moon Ji-young2. /Photo=KLPGA provided
Moon Ji-young2. /Photo=KLPGA provided

Moon Ji-young (42) claimed her first-ever title on the KLPGA Champions Tour.

In the final second round of the KLPGA 2026 Dionysus Golf Champions Tour, the seventh event held at The Crosby Golf Club's Aria-Billy Course in Icheon, Gyeonggi (par 72, 5,962 yards), Moon shot a flawless 9-under-par 63 with nine birdies and no bogeys.

After recording an even-par 72 in the first round, Moon finished with a total of 9-under-par 135, overtaking second-place Park Gyeong-eun (41, 8-under-par 136) by one stroke to complete a comeback victory.

According to the KLPGA, Moon, who secured her first career win, said, "I still can't believe it's real, but I'm gradually coming to terms with it as people congratulate me. The journey to my first victory was incredibly difficult, but now that I've achieved it, I feel confident that I can do it again. I am extremely happy and grateful."

Moon Ji-young2 poses while holding the championship trophy. /Photo=KLPGA provided
Moon Ji-young2 poses while holding the championship trophy. /Photo=KLPGA provided

Debuting on the regular tour in 2007, Moon tied for ninth at the first KLPGA InterBulg Masters that same year but lost her seed status afterward. From 2008 to 2011, she competed in the Dream Tour. She later stepped away from the field due to teaching activities and childcare starting in 2018 before returning via the Champions Tour in the 2024 season.

Moon stated, "To achieve good results this year, I underwent two months of training camps in Thailand, focusing on improving my iron shot accuracy and putting practice. My season goal was to finish fifth in prize money, but with this victory, I've climbed to first place. I aim to maintain consistent performance and hold the top spot until the end of the season."

With the 18th million won prize money added from this win, Moon's cumulative season earnings reached 46.483667 million won, propelling her from third place to sole first in the prize money standings.

Park Gyeong-eun, who recorded six birdies on the final day, secured solo second place and moved up to second in the prize money rankings with 38.518 million won. Lee Jeong-eun3 (41), who led after the first round, finished tied for third overall at 5-under-par 139 alongside Kim Hye-jeong2 (51, Mansujeong). Previous sixth-event champion Lim Eun-a (43) ended the tournament in a tie for 19th place with a final total of 1-over-par 145.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.

Recommended News

Editor’s Pick

Latest in Sports