‘Autumn Queen’ Kim Suji Wins by 2 Strokes... ‘I am the Queen of Blue Heron’

Major HiteJinro Championship FR 2 Over Par
6th Win in 1 Year 2 Months Since Last Year's Hanwha Classic
First Victory in This Tournament in 3 Years, 3rd Major Win Cheers

‘Autumn Queen’ Kim Su-ji has been crowned the ‘Major Queen’.

Kim Suji is celebrating after making a birdie on the 2nd hole of the 4th round at the major tournament HiteJinro Championship.
[Photo by KLPGA]

On the 6th, at the Hite Jinro Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion KRW), a major tournament on the KLPGA Tour held at Blue Heron Golf Club in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,763 yards), Kim lost 2 strokes in the 4th round but secured a 2-stroke victory (2-under 286). She was the only player to finish under par. This marks her 6th career win (3rd major) after 1 year and 2 months since the Hanwha Classic major tournament in August last year, with a winner’s prize of 270 million KRW.

Kim Su-ji started with a 3-stroke lead but recorded 3 birdies and 5 bogeys. She lost 3 strokes with 1 birdie and 4 bogeys over 13 holes, allowing a shared lead. However, she widened the gap with ‘stepping stone birdies’ on holes 14 and 16, and although she made a bogey on the final 18th hole (par 5), it did not affect her victory. Kim has earned 5 of her 6 professional wins since September, earning her the nickname ‘Autumn Queen’.

Kim Su-ji exclaimed, "It was not an easy round. I think playing with focus until the end led to the victory." She added, "Yesterday’s 8-under round seemed to be the driving force for the win," smiling as she said, "I’m very happy to finish well." She also said, "Saving par on the 15th hole (par 4) made me believe I could win. I want to express my gratitude to the sponsors, family, and everyone who supported me."

Hwang Yu-min reduced 1 stroke to finish as runner-up (even par 288). Park Min-ji shot 3-under to jump to a tie for 3rd place (1-over 289). Yoon Ina, who was hoping for a comeback victory, lost 2 strokes and finished tied for 3rd. Bang Shin-sil, Choi Ye-rim, and Choi Ga-bin tied for 5th place (5-over 293), Park Hyun-kyung and Lee Je-young tied for 8th (6-over 294), and Kim Min-byeol, Jeon Ye-seong, and Kang Ji-seon finished tied for 10th (7-over 295) to close the tournament.