'LPGA Member' Kim Hyo-joo "Second Win in Korea This Year~"

SK Networks and Seoul Economic Ladies Classic: 1-Stroke Victory, Lee So-young 2nd, Lim Hee-jung 3rd, Park Min-ji Tied 32nd

Kim Hyo-joo is receiving a shower of flower petals in celebration immediately after winning the SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a victory cheer for Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte), an LPGA member.

On the 31st, at Pinx Golf Club in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island (par 72, 6,686 yards), Kim finished the final day of the KLPGA Tour SK Networks Seoul Economic Ladies Classic (total prize money 800 million won) with a 4-under-par, achieving a one-stroke victory (14-under-par 274). This is her second win of the KLPGA Tour season just one month after winning the OK Savings Bank Park Seri Invitational last month, her 14th career win including one as an amateur, with a winner's prize of 144 million won.

Kim started with a one-stroke lead and recorded six birdies and two bogeys. Her strong start included a birdie on the 1st hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies on the 5th and 6th holes. A bogey on the 7th hole (par 4) was recovered with a birdie on the 9th hole (par 5), and a bogey on the 12th hole was offset by a birdie on the 13th hole (both par 4), maintaining her score. On the 17th hole (par 3), where she was tied for the lead, she secured a crucial birdie to confirm her victory. She said, "I am happy to have a good result in a domestic tournament," and added, "Only the final event remains in the U.S."

Lee So-young (24, Lotte) surged with an 8-under-par to rise to 2nd place (13-under-par 275), her best personal performance this year. Im Hee-jung (21, Korea Land & Housing Trust), ranked 2nd in prize money, finished 3rd (10-under-par 278), while two-time champion Lee So-mi (22, SBI Savings Bank) and Lee Seung-yeon (23, SK Networks) tied for 4th place (9-under-par 279). Six-time champion Park Min-ji (23, NH Investment & Securities) tied for 32nd place (even par 288), and defending champion Jang Ha-na (29, BC Card) finished tied for 65th place (8-over-par 296).