Kim Suji Strong in Autumn, First Season Win After 10 Attempts and 11 Tries

KLPGA Tour OK Financial Group Park Seri Invitational: Lee Yewon Wins by One Stroke
Prize Money Ranking Rises to 4th... Lee Yewon Moves to Solo 2nd, Racing for Rookie of the Year

Kim Suji is making a chip shot on the 1st hole during the final round of the OK Financial Group Park Seri Invitational, part of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, held on the 25th at Serenity CC in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Kim Su-ji (26), who recorded ten top-10 finishes this season without a win, celebrated her first victory at the threshold of autumn.

On the 25th, Kim Su-ji scored three birdies and one bogey for a 2-under-par 70 in the final round of the KLPGA Tour OK Financial Group Park Se-ri Invitational held at Serenity CC (par 72) in Cheongju, Chungbuk. With a final total of 11-under-par 205, Kim Su-ji clinched a thrilling victory by one stroke over Lee Ye-won (19), who finished second. Although she was tied for 37th on the first day, she set a course record by reducing nine strokes in the second round and held steady in a close battle on the last day to secure the win.

Showing strong performance in autumn, this is Kim Su-ji's first win of the season and her third career victory on the KLPGA Tour. Since debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2017, Kim Su-ji won her first career title last September at the KG·Edaily Ladies Open and followed it up with a victory at the major Hite Jinro Championship in October.

She has maintained good form this season as well. Before this tournament, she had recorded ten top-10 finishes, including second place at the Lotte Open, third at the Hanwha Classic, and second at the KG Edaily Ladies Open, showing consistent performance but had been unlucky to secure a win. However, she finally claimed her first victory with this win.

Kim Su-ji said, "I played with a lot of tension after missing out on a win in previous tournaments. I trusted my improved shot feeling and played with the mindset of waiting, which led to this good result," sharing her thoughts on the victory.

Receiving the winner's prize money of 144 million won, Kim Su-ji increased her total season earnings to 652,705,787 won, moving up one spot from fifth to fourth in the money rankings. She also added 60 points to her MVP points, rising to third place.

Lee Ye-won, who played in the champion group one stroke behind Kim Su-ji in the previous round, ultimately finished second without closing the gap. With this runner-up finish, Lee Ye-won recorded her tenth top-10 finish of the season.

Lee Ye-won maintained a one-stroke difference until the 16th hole and had a chance for a late comeback, but missed a short par putt on the 17th hole, which was regrettable. Recording a birdie on the 18th hole to finish solo second was at least some consolation. This runner-up finish puts Lee Ye-won one step ahead in the rookie of the year race.

Park Min-ji (24) finished tied for 23rd (3-under-par 213) in this tournament but maintained her position as the top money earner with 1,048,589,714 won. Yoo Hae-ran (21), who finished solo third (9-under-par 207) and recorded her 14th top-10 of the season, surpassed the 700 million won mark (716,586,999 won) for the second time this season, following Park Min-ji.