Hwang Yumin Delivers Perfect 5-Under Performance... Proves Strong in Adverse Weather

Leading the First Round of the 47th KLPGA Championship
Aiming for Third Victory Since Last April's We’ve Championship
Eight Players, Including Park Hyunkyung and Lee Yewon, in Pursuit at Tied Second

This is Hwang Yumin's march toward victory.

On May 1, at Lakewood Country Club (par 72, 6,605 yards) in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Hwang Yumin shot a 5-under-par 67 in the first round of the Chris F&C 47th KLPGA Championship, the first major tournament of the 2025 KLPGA Tour season, with a total prize fund of 1.3 billion won. She topped the leaderboard. Eight players, including Park Hyunkyung and Lee Yewon, are in a close chase, tied for second place at 4-under-par 68, just one stroke behind.

Hwang Yumin is giving an interview after finishing the first round of this year's first major tournament, the Chris F&C 47th KLPGA Championship, in the lead. KLPGA

Hwang Yumin delivered a flawless performance, carding five birdies without a single bogey. She got off to a strong start with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2. On the par-5 7th hole, she sent her second shot into a greenside bunker, but stuck her third shot close to the hole to secure another birdie. In the back nine, she added consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15. Holding a one-stroke lead, she has laid the groundwork to become a major champion for the first time in her career. Hwang Yumin previously collected two victories: the Daeyu Winia·MBN Women's Open in July 2023, and the Doosan Engineering & Construction We’ve Championship in April last year.

Meanwhile, defending champion Lee Jungmin withdrew from the tournament due to injury. She decided not to compete because of a stiff neck and a wrist injury. Last year, she reduced her score by six strokes on the final day of this event, tying the KLPGA Tour record for lowest 72-hole score (23-under-par 265) and claiming her first major title as well as her 11th career trophy. With Lee Jungmin out, Jo Jungmin, who was first on the waiting list, was given the opportunity to compete. The first round was suspended for two hours due to bad weather before resuming.