Jeon In-ji, Wire-to-Wire Victory "I am the Major Queen~" (2nd Report)

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: 4th Career Win in 3 Years 8 Months with a 1.7 Billion Won Jackpot

Jeon In-ji is smiling brightly while holding the trophy right after winning her third major of the season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Bethesda (USA) = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Flying Dumbo’ Jeon In-ji (28) has ascended to ‘Major Queen’ status.

On the 27th (Korean time), at the Blue Course (par 72, 6,894 yards) of Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, the final day of the third major of this LPGA Tour season, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (total prize money $9 million), Jeon shot 3 over par but secured a one-stroke victory (5 under par, 283 strokes). This marks her fourth career win, coming 3 years and 8 months after her victory at the KEB Hana Bank Championship held in Korea in October 2018. The winner’s prize money was $1.35 million (1.7 billion KRW).

Jeon In-ji, who was a non-member, swept three major wins including the 2015 US Women’s Open in July, the 2016 Evian Championship in September, and this tournament. The Korean players’ streak of seven consecutive majors without a win, which had continued since Kim A-rim (27) at the 2020 US Women’s Open, has come to an end. Korea collectively won four titles in 16 tournaments this year. Ko Jin-young (27, HSBC Women’s), Kim Hyo-joo (27, Lotte Championship), and Ji Eun-hee (36, Bank of Hope Match Play) also joined the champions’ ranks.

Jeon surged to an 8-under par in the first round, taking a five-stroke lead, then posted 3 under par in the second round to extend her lead to six strokes. Although she struggled with 3 over par in the third round, allowing a three-stroke chase from the tied second-place group, she maintained her focus until the end and achieved a wire-to-wire victory. On the final day, Jeon recorded two birdies and five bogeys. Her iron shots and putting faltered, resulting in bogeys on holes 2, 4, 6, and 9.

Jeon In-ji (left) and Lexi Thompson are playing together on the 8th hole during the final day of the third major of the season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Bethesda, USA = Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

Her first birdie on the 11th hole (par 5) was offset by a bogey on the 12th hole (par 4), and she struggled with 4 over par across 15 holes, falling two strokes behind Lexi Thompson (USA) in second place. However, she birdied the 16th hole (par 4) to return to a tie for the lead, and Thompson collapsed with consecutive bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes, allowing Jeon to reclaim the top spot on the leaderboard. Jeon finished the 17th and 18th holes with pars, creating a dramatic victory and shedding tears of joy.