Isomi's First Win "I Like Yeongam"... Choi Hye-jin "Another Missed Victory"

HuenCare Women's Open Final Day 4-Under Par "Thrilling Comeback Victory", Kim Bo-a 2nd, Choi Hye-jin Tied 3rd

Lee So-mi (right) is cheering at the moment her victory is confirmed on the 18th hole of the final day of the Huencare Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Yeongam is great."

Lee So-mi (21) scored 4-under par on the final day of the Huencare Women’s Open (total prize money 800 million won) held on the 25th at South Links Golf Course in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do (par 72, 6,420 yards), achieving a thrilling come-from-behind victory with a total of 9-under par 207. She entered the KLPGA Tour last year and this is her first win, earning 144 million won in prize money. Kim Bo-ah (25) finished second, one stroke behind at 8-under par 208, and Choi Hye-jin (21, Lotte) tied for third at 6-under par 210.

Starting one stroke behind in second place, Lee So-mi recorded five birdies and one bogey. She gained momentum with a birdie on the 3rd hole (par 4), followed by consecutive birdies on the 8th and 9th holes, then exchanged a birdie on the 12th hole (par 4) for a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4), before securing the lead with a 7.2-yard birdie on the 15th hole (par 3). On the final 18th hole (par 4), she heightened the tension by leaving herself a 1.9-yard par putt to clinch the win. "Having slipped in the champion group before, I was even more nervous," she said, breathing a sigh of relief.

It is interesting that Lee So-mi led the first and second rounds at the Phantom Classic held on the same course last month but finished tied for 10th after a 2-over par on the final day. "I think I was anxious, worrying about the next hole after starting as the leader," she explained. "Today, I focused on concentrating on each hole." She expressed gratitude to her parents who have supported her through hardships and said, "I want to secure my second win as soon as possible."

Kim Bo-ah shot 6-under par, including a hole-in-one on the 5th hole (par 3), but fell one stroke short. Another headline was Choi Hye-jin’s 'missed victory.' Although she dominated the top of the leaderboard for two days, her putting faltered today, resulting in one birdie and one bogey, leaving her stagnant. She was the 'domestic number one' last year with five wins but has yet to win in 13 tournaments this year, causing frustration. Yoo Hae-ran (19, SK Networks) and Lee Da-yeon (23, Mediheal) joined the tie for third place.