"Bang Bang" Showdown of the Longest Hitters... Bang Sin-sil's Third Win of the Season Decided by One Tee Shot

 
【Gyeonggi (Pocheon)=Jeon Sang-il Reporter】 On the 14th, at the final round of the OK Savings Bank Ootman Open at Adonis Country Club (par 72, 6598 yards) in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, with the cool autumn breeze brushing against the face, the green was frozen with suffocating tension. The showdown between the two long hitters representing KLPGA, Bang Sin-sil and Lee Dong-eun, who battled back and forth until the end, was a drama showcasing the essence of 'power golf'. The conclusion of that drama was decided in just one hole, with one tee shot.
Bang Sin-sil clinched the victory by recording a final round of 6 birdies and 1 bogey, scoring 5-under-par, with a total of 15-under-par 201 strokes over three days. It was a dramatic victory, edging out Lee Dong-eun by just one stroke. With this, Bang Sin-sil achieved her third win of the season, marking her fifth career win. This season, only two players, Lee Ye-won and Bang Sin-sil, have joined the '3-win club'.


This year's KLPGA power competition is intense. Lee Dong-eun ranks first with an average driver distance of 236m, followed by Bang Sin-sil at 235m. They are the two players who virtually divide the Korean women's golf long-hitting scene. Their showdown on the par-5 holes, where they easily aim for two-on, was also a time to confirm the power of 'one shot'. The two players, who finished the second round as co-leaders, continued their tense tie march until the last day.
The showdown was decided at the 17th hole (par 3). Bang Sin-sil's tee shot flew 148m, landing within 1m of the pin, effectively securing a 'confirmed birdie'. Meanwhile, Lee Dong-eun's ball stopped about 8m away. She gathered all her concentration to attempt a passing putt, but the hole cup turned away. Just a slight difference. At that moment, the score was decided. 

 
Facing the 18th hole (par 4) with a one-stroke lead. The mindset of the leader and the chaser was entirely different. Bang Sin-sil, with the comfort of 'finishing with a par', landed her tee shot on the fairway. In contrast, Lee Dong-eun needed a birdie. However, her tee shot went into the rough. With a dramatic second shot, she placed the ball 2m from the pin, but Bang Sin-sil calmly hit an iron second shot, placing the ball 1.5m from the pin. And Bang Sin-sil succeeded in her final putt, securing a decisive birdie. The fierce long-hitting showdown thus came to an end.


This victory holds more significance than just a trophy. Bang Sin-sil, with her third win of the season, climbed to joint first place with Lee Ye-won in multiple wins. At the same time, she rose to second place in target points and fifth in the money ranking. She has completed the top four structure of the target competition, along with Yoo Hyun-jo, Lee Ye-won, and Hong Jung-min.
Especially, this tournament was a special stage for Bang Sin-sil. It is because she was selected as the '6th OK Savings Bank Scholar' during her high school years. It is the first time that an OK Scholar player has won this tournament.
After the match, Bang Sin-sil said, "Lee Dong-eun, whom I competed with for the win, is a close friend. It seems we both played a good game," and "I definitely want to win another major tournament in the second half," expressing her winning sentiment.
At the end of the season, the KLPGA target competition is more chaotic than ever. Who will laugh last is unknown. However, it is clear that Bang Sin-sil's three wins have made this competitive structure even hotter. Once called just a 'long hitter', Bang Sin-sil has now evolved into a 'complete champion' who can seize victory with accuracy and concentration in critical moments. 


jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter