Ko Jinyoung Cracks Top 10...Anticipation Builds for Major Championship

Tied for 7th at JM Eagle LA Championship
Perfect Tune-Up Before Chevron Championship
Rookie Lindblad Claims First Victory, Iwai Finishes Runner-Up

Ko Jinyoung secured a top-10 finish in a major championship tune-up event.

On April 20 (local time), at El Caballero Country Club (par 72, 6,679 yards) in Los Angeles, California, Ko shot a 6-under-par 66 in the final round of the JM Eagle LA Championship on the LPGA Tour (total prize money $3.75 million), finishing tied for 7th at 17-under-par 271. This marks her third top-10 finish of the year. The LPGA Tour's first major of the season, the Chevron Championship (total prize money $7.9 million), will begin on April 24.

Ko Jinyoung is watching her tee shot immediately after hitting it on the 6th hole of the 4th round at the JM Eagle LA Championship. Los Angeles=AFP Yonhap News Photo by AFP

Starting the day tied for 12th, Ko delivered a flawless round with six birdies and no bogeys. She made back-to-back birdies on holes 4 and 5, and added another on the par-4 8th to go three under on the front nine. She then picked up additional birdies on holes 11, 13, and 15. Her tee shots, irons, and putting were all outstanding. She missed only one fairway and three greens. Her average driving distance was 278 yards, and she took 27 putts in the round.

Rookie Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden shot a 4-under-par round to claim a one-stroke victory at 21-under-par 267. This is her first win in just her fourth event of the year, earning her $562,500 (approximately 800 million won) in prize money. Akie Iwai of Japan finished runner-up at 20-under-par 268, missing out on a playoff after making bogey on the final par-4 18th hole. Hannah Green of Australia, who was aiming for her third consecutive tournament win, finished tied for 9th at 16-under-par 272, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States tied for 16th at 14-under-par 274.

Ingrid Lindblad is drinking champagne right after winning the JM Eagle LA Championship. Los Angeles=AFP Yonhap News Photo by AFP

Among Korean players, Lim Jinhee shot a 5-under-par round to finish tied for 11th at 15-under-par 273. Yoon Yina, who was in fourth place and just two shots back after three rounds and was considered a contender for a come-from-behind victory, dropped to a tie for 16th after losing one stroke in the final round. Lee Jeongeun5 and Lee Somi finished tied for 20th at 13-under-par 275, Lee Jeongeun6 tied for 47th at 9-under-par 279, and Jeon Inji tied for 52nd at 8-under-par 280.