01코스를 수놓은 두 번의 에이스, 강민지와 봉타윌랍의 환상적인 일격
2026 시즌 LPGA 투어 아시안 스윙의 주요 대회인 뷰익 LPGA 상하이에서 보기 드문 '홀인원 풍년'이 기록됐다. 한국의 강민지와 태국의 신예 나타크리타 봉타윌랍이 그 주인공으로, 두 선수는 각각 정교한 티샷을 그대로 홀컵에 떨어뜨리며 갤러리들의 뜨거운 환호를 이끌어냈다.
먼저 강민지는 이번 대회에서 완벽한 거리 조절과 날카로운 아이언 샷 감각을 뽐내며 생애 잊지 못할 에이스를 잡아냈다. 특히 순위 경쟁이 치열한 상황에서 터진 이 홀인원은 강민지에게 큰 자신감을 불어넣었으며, 대회 전체의 분위기를 고조시키는 결정적인 역할을 했다.
태국의 나타크리타 봉타윌랍 또한 특유의 장타력뿐만 아니라 정교함까지 겸비했음을 증명하며 홀인원 대열에 합류했다. 한 대회에서 두 명의 선수가 나란히 홀인원을 기록하는 것은 투어에서도 흔치 않은 진기록으로, 이번 2026 뷰익 LPGA 상하이는 골프 팬들에게 강렬한 명장면을 선사하게 됐다.
02Original (English) — LPGA
Minji Kang of South Korea celebrates after a hole-in-one from the sixth tee during the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai 2026 at Sheshan Golf Club on October 16, 2026 in Shanghai, China.
Jennifer Meyer is the Manager of Digital Operations. Jennifer has worked with the LPGA for more than a decade, working with the LPGA and Epson Tours to manage, develop, maintain, and update website content.
Minji Kang and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap each recorded a hole-in-one Friday during the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai at Sheshan Golf Club.
Kang aced the 178-yard sixth hole using a 6-hybrid for her second hole-in-one of the season.
"I saw that went in," Kang said. "I didn't really expect... made another hole-in-one this year. It was my second hole-in-one this year, but so I was surprised and happy with it."
Kang finished her round with a 1-under 71 that included three birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey and the ace. She stands at 2-over par for the tournament and in a tie for 17th place. On the season, Kang has made 13 cuts in 20 starts, highlighted by a tie for fifth at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and a tie for ninth at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.
Vongtaveelap, of Thailand, recorded her ace on the 148-yard fourth hole using a 9-iron. The hole-in-one served as the highlight of a 2-over 74 second round for Vongtaveelap, who opened the tournament with an 80 on Thursday.
Through the CME Group Cares Challenge – Score 1 for St. Jude, each ace on tour results in a $20,000 charitable donation on the player's behalf to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
"I think it's very good things to do," Kang said. "After like through my hole-in-ones being donating, it's very -- I think it's very nice thing to donate with our shots."
The season-long campaign converts every ace on the LPGA Tour into charitable funding for childhood cancer treatment and research. Kang and Vongtaveelap's aces marked the 21st and 22nd donations to St. Jude this season, pushing the total contribution to $440,000.