Lim ‘definitely bounced back’…leaps to lead in high winds

‘Desert Fox’ Lim Hee-jung is showing signs of a resurgence.

Lim shot a 4-under 68 in the second round of the SK networks-Seoul Economic Ladies Classic ($800,000) on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour at Finks Golf Club (Par 72) in Seogwipo, Jeju Island on Sunday.

With a two-round total of 4-under-par 140, Lim is poised to jump to the top of the leaderboard and into contention for the title.

Last year, Lim was recognized as one of the top players on the KLPGA Tour with five wins, including two majors, but has struggled this season due to injury.

Her ranking of 29th on the money list, 20th in points, and 48th in scoring average were not good enough for her.

However, at the Sangsangin-Korea Economic TV Open, which concluded on Nov. 22, Lim showed signs of a resurgence by playing like her old self.

She shot back-to-back 60s in the second and third rounds to take the lead, and although she lost the title to Jin Hee Lim in the final round, it was her best runner-up finish of the season.

Lim’s five birdies and one bogey on the day could be the best score of the day as very few players shot under par due to the strong winds.

The Jeju winds were strong at Pinx Golf Club, where the tournament was held, with an average wind speed of 7 meters per second and a maximum gust of 11 meters per second.

In that kind of wind, a top female professional with a heavy ball flight would have to hold two clubs more or less.

“It wasn’t easy because the wind was blowing really hard,” Lim said, “but my shots have been coming alive since the last tournament, so I just played by feel. Today, I made par easily and moved on,” she said with confidence.

In particular, she said, “I had good shot feeling and good putt distance, so there were very few difficult holes. In the last tournament, I had a lot of physical exertion while competing for the title, and I had a cold, so I was very careful to replenish my stamina, but thanks to the easy game today, I was able to reduce my physical exertion,” said Lim.

The runner-up in the last tournament admitted that she scored well despite not feeling her best.

At the time, he said, “I don’t know yet. We have to wait and see,” but after the second round of the day, he explained, “I feel like my shot feeling is good now because I can keep my arm longer when I hit the shot as I intended.”

Lim, who is already in her fifth year, said she has gained some experience in the Jeju winds.

“I’m still not sure when I put my shots into the wind. On the fifth hole (with a strong crosswind), I hit it so wrong that I thought, ‘Is this right,'” Lim said. “But I’ve played the previous year and the year before, so I definitely know the windy holes and play them.” 스포츠토토