4-Under-Par Power in the Final Round of the 80th US Women's Open
Second Consecutive Top 10 Finish After Last Month's Chevron Championship
Stark Claims Second Win, Korda Finishes Second, Yoon Ina Ties for 14th
Hyejin Choi has finished in the top 10 at both major tournaments this year.
On June 1 (local time), at the Erin Hills Golf Course (par 72, 6,780 yards) in Erin, Wisconsin, USA, Choi shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round of the 80th US Women's Open (total prize money: $12 million), finishing tied for fourth place at 4-under-par 284. She recorded six birdies and two bogeys. This is the highest ranking among Korean players. Following her tie for ninth at last month's first major, the Chevron Championship, she has now achieved back-to-back top 10 finishes in majors.
Hyejin Choi is teeing off on the 16th hole in the 4th round of the US Women's Open. Erin, USA - Photo by AFP Yonhap News
In a post-round interview, Choi said, "Yesterday, the green speed was very fast, so I had difficulty adapting," and added, "Today, I tried hard to adjust to the green speed, and that allowed me to achieve a good result." She also said, "I have many good memories at the US Open, including a runner-up finish. I missed the cut last year, but I prepared a lot for this year's tournament."
Choi first drew attention as an amateur by finishing runner-up at the 2017 US Women's Open. In 2022, she finished third, and three of her six career top 10 finishes in majors have come at the US Women's Open. Reflecting on this tournament, she said, "Starting from the second round, I tried to keep my mind relaxed, which helped. The weather was tough yesterday, but today it improved, and I tried to enjoy my golf as much as possible."
Maya Stark is taking a commemorative photo next to the trophy after becoming the first major queen of her career at the US Women's Open. Erin, USA=Photo by AP Yonhap News
Maja Stark (Sweden) traded three birdies and three bogeys to secure a two-shot victory at 7-under-par 281. This marks her second career win, coming two years and ten months after her first at the ISPS Handa World Invitational in August 2022. The winner's prize is $2.4 million (approximately 3.3 billion KRW). World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) shot a 1-under-par 71 and finished tied for second at 5-under-par 283 with Rio Takeda (Japan).
Among Korean players, besides Choi, Yoon Ina shot a 4-under-par 68 with two eagles, three birdies, and three bogeys. She jumped from a tie for 41st the previous day to a tie for 14th (even-par 288). Following her tie for 16th at last month's LA Championship, this is her second career top 20 finish. Jin Young Ko also finished tied for 14th, Kim A Lim tied for 26th (3-over-par 291), and Hee Young Yang and KLPGA Tour member Yoo Hyunjo tied for 36th (7-over-par 295).
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