'Emotional First Victory' Lee Jumi "I Want to Win One More This Year"

First Trophy in 148 KLPGA Tour Events
Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship Wins with 12-Under Par

"If I get the chance, I want to secure one more win this year."

Lee Joo-mi is smiling brightly while holding the winner's trophy after claiming the top spot at the Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW) of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, held on the 16th at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by KLPGA]

This is the ambition of Lee Jumi, who lifted the winner's trophy at the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour event on her 148th attempt in 147 tournaments. After confirming her victory at the KLPGA Tour Mediheal·Hankook Ilbo Championship (total prize money 1 billion KRW) held on the 16th at Ferrum Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,652 yards), she said in a broadcast interview, "Honestly, I played with the mindset of just finishing in the top 5, which is my best result, but I ended up winning like this."

On the final round that day, Lee Jumi shot 4-under-par 68 with five birdies and one bogey. She finished with a total score of 12-under-par 276, beating second-place Park Hyunkyung (10-under-par 278) by two strokes to claim the top spot. The winner's prize was 180 million KRW, marking her first trophy after debuting on the KLPGA regular tour in 2015 and participating in 148 tournaments. Her previous best result in 147 regular tour events was 5th place at the Daebo House D Open in July 2021.

She shared her feelings, saying, "I still can't believe it. I thought I would cry a lot if I won, but I have no thoughts at all. When I saw the score (tied for the lead) at the 16th hole, I suddenly got very nervous."

Lee Jumi led the tournament through the second round but dropped to a tie for 4th place, two strokes behind the leader, after the third round. In the final round, she entered a tough competition for the title against defending champion Park Jiyoung and tour powerhouses Park Minji and Park Hyunkyung. However, with a birdie on the 13th hole (par 4) and consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, she showed strong finishing power and achieved a come-from-behind victory.

Calmly expressing her thoughts, Lee Jumi said tearfully, "I have gone through many difficult times during my tour life, but my parents helped me a lot to get to this point." She added, "I hope this win will help me gain many fans as well," and asked, "Please continue to support me a lot in the future."

Additionally, Kim Minbyeol, Park Minji, Kim Suji, Lee Gayoung, and Jeon Yesung all finished tied for 3rd place with scores of 9-under-par 279. Park Jiyoung, who led after the third round, lost three strokes that day and finished tied for 8th place with Jung Yoonji at 7-under-par 281.