LPGA, KIA Classic at Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad, CA

The final round, March 25, 2018.

As usual, the time came for the KIA Classic in Carlsbad, CA about 60 miles from Laguna Woods.

Being close to us, we took another annual pilgrim to one of our favorite LPGA tournaments.

As of yesterday after the third round, two Korean girls, Eun-Hee Ji and In-Kyung Kim were the leaders, 

together with Lizzete Salas of US. Christie Kerr was one stroke behind the leaders.

Christie Kerr was the leader after the second round with 5-shot lead but didn't do well in the third round.

Together with Doukyung Chai (SNUMA*65), and a few SNU Medical Alumni, we drove to the course

and arrived at about noon just before the last group's tee-off.

It was a slightly chilly day but the sky was blue after a few rainy days in the past days.

We put our hopes to either Eun-Hee or In-Kyung and decided to follow one of them.

The 18 holes in Aviara makes about 7 miles of walk, up and down the hills of San Joaquin Coastal Range.

At the main entrance, looking back.

This year, there are a lot of KIA cars on display, much more than usual.

The gift shop in the entrance area.

We went to the practice range to see the players warm up practice. Jane Park was warming up.

This is always a good place to see and analyze players actual swing as they repeat their shots.

During the actual play on the course, one only sees one swing at a time.

Christie Kerr just came out and started to practice sand shots.

Christie was having her lunch with a piece of a home-wrapped sandwich. She brought her own !!

Considering her 7 million-worth-wealth and enormous prestige, it seems to be rather too modesty.

However, this is the true American way of the wealthy people's life. Not like stupid Koreans !!

How plain and humble is she? On a day when she is going for a championship for the entire USA,

she eats a piece of sandwich on the driving range. My respect and kudos go to her.

Anna Nordqvist at the practice range with her caddie and coach.

This is the area near the first tee. Inside the fence is the practice putting green.

A Korean flag shows here for a good reason. What's LPGA without Korean flags !!

It was a bit too early to see the final players of the day. We skipped putting green and went to the first tee.

At the first tee, the second last twosome of the day came out.

They were I.K. Kim (김인경 of Korea at -11) and Christie Kerr (the US, at -10).

At the first tee box, the announcer introduced the president of KIA Auto. He looks like a Korean.

Is he the real KIA president from Korea or just one from the American branch?

Finally, the last twosome of Lizzete Salas (the US at -11) and Eunhee Ji (Korea at -11)

Our hero, Eunhee Ji seems to be relaxed before the tee-off for the last day.

I had a good feeling that she would be doing well today. Of course, we are going to follow her.

The scoreboard shows the last two players who were leading the group after the third round.

At the first hole in the fairway.

Eun-Hee hitting her second shot to the green.

She never missed the green today with the perfect GIR today as we found out later.

The beautiful par-3 second hole. My favorite picture spot. I took a few pictures here. Please see below.

One of the holes in the hilly back-nine.

Here, Eun-Hee made a Hole-in-One to our surprise !! The first time I witnessed it in the tour.

A bunch of Koreans was following Eun-Hee Ji as she was steady at the top of the leader board.

The tee-box was hight up on a hill with the green below in front of a pond.

Lizzete hit a beautiful tee shot landing her ball about 5-6 feet from the hole.

We all applauded her and she seemed to be really happy.

Then Eun-Hee came up to the tee box and hit another nice shot straight to the pin.

The ball came down just in front of the pin, it seemed to bounce, and then disappeared !!

Suddenly after a short silence, we realized that the ball went into the hole.

A loud applause ensued and we were all happy after all most of the galleries were Koreans.

What you see is the good-looking KIA Sorento SUB for the prize of the Hole-in-one.

For some reason, she was to get two KIA cars for the hole-in-one.

The tee box behind the hole-in-one car.

Lizzete putting at the par-4 16th hole. She landed her tee shot on the green and was putting for an eagle.

Lizzete Salas played really well but her score never really threatened Eun-Hee Ji.

We followed I.K. Kim a few holes when she made a few birdies. 

We followed Eun-Hee Ji most of the time to the end.

Eun-Hee Ji got $250,000 championship prize together with two KIA cars for her hole-in-one.

To my disappointment, In Bee Park tried hard but her chase was not good enough to come close.

Anyway, In-Bee and In-Kyung had their glories. I am glad Eun-Hee Ji got the glory this time.

We are again proud of Korean girls. Bravo, Korea !