Lee Leaves Miyazato Behind Once Again

Such remarks have come up among Korean players participating in the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. “Although there are 30~40 of us playing (in the LPGA Tour), only three to four reporters from Korean media can be seen, and that is only during the big matches. However in the case of Japan, more than 20 Japanese reporters follow one player for every match.”

That “one player” from Japan is Ai Miyazato (22). Miyazato has recorded 11 wins in the past two years since her debut in the Japan Tour in 2004. Possessing both looks as well as talent, she has received sponsors from major companies such as JAL, Santory, and Bridgestone. Still, there is a rival that even Miyazato may envy.

That player is no other than Lee Seon-hwa (21, CJ) who is also known as “little Pak Se-ri.” Lee is the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA)’s youngest to earn a professional golfer license at the age of 14 and is also the youngest player, at the age of 15, to record a win. These two Korean and Japanese players, who have been chosen as the stars of the next generation, made their debut side-by-side in the U.S. LPGA Tour last year.

Miyazato was admitted into the qualifying school as the top qualifier with a record high score gap of 12 strokes. Lee received a seed to the regular tour as the top prize money winner in the minor LPGA tour. The two players competed for the Rookie of the Year Award, but Lee triumphantly claimed the top rookie title which can be won only once in a lifetime. Lee and Miyazato, who share such a history, competed against each other once again for prize money of $500,000 (approximately 470 million won).

It occurred at the U.S. LPGA Tour HSBC Match Play Championship which took place at the Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, New York on July 23. Lee, ranked 22nd, played up to her nickname “Stone Heart,” as she stayed poised under all circumstances and used her deliberate putting to constantly take the lead. With one hole remaining, Lee beat 12th ranked Miyazato with a two hole difference, recording her first win in this season, which is her second career win. In particular, her best accomplishment during the day was making three consecutive birdies from the 15th hole. Miyazato, who has not been able to win in 42 competitions since her debut in the United States, also made two straight birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, but not being able to surpass Lee’s strength, collapsed and even ended up shedding tears. It is the second consecutive win for Korean players after Pak Se-ri (CJ)’s victory last week, and twice as sweet for the sponsor of both players, CJ.

Lee, who consoled the one-year older Miyazato after the game, jumped in prize money rankings from 25th to fifth place ($810,499). Japan’s Mainichi News reported, “Miyazato cried for about 20 minutes behind the stage of the award ceremony. Lee Seon-hwa crossed over to the United States before Miyazato and won the fierce competition in the minor league tour.”

After failing to qualify in the semifinals, Kim Mi-hyun encouraged Lee Seon-hwa, telling her, “You have to win.” Kim beat Maria Hjorth (Sweden) by two holes in the match for third and fourth place and received the general tournament prize money of $200,000.

kjs0123@donga.com