Celltrion Queens Masters: Second Playoff Birdie
First Victory in 11 Months Since Last July's Lotte Open
Han Jinseon and Kim Sihyun Tie for Second, Park Minji Finishes 40th
Lee Gayoung claimed victory after a playoff battle.
On June 8 at Seongmunan Country Club (par 72, 6,494 yards) in Wonju, Gangwon Province, during the final third round of the KLPGA Tour Celltrion Queens Masters (total prize money: 1.2 billion won), Lee shot a 2-under-par to tie with Han Jinseon and Kim Sihyun at 12-under-par 204. She then secured the championship with a winning birdie on the second playoff hole at the 18th (par 5). This marks her third career win, coming 11 months after her last victory at the Lotte Open in July of the previous year, and she takes home the winner’s prize of 116 million won.
Lee Gayoung is hitting an iron shot on the 1st hole of the final 3rd round at the Celltrion Queens Masters. Photo by KLPGA
Having finished her round at 12-under-par, Lee Gayoung’s chances of winning initially seemed slim, as Han Jinseon, at 13-under-par, had a 1.5-meter par putt left on the 18th hole. However, Han missed the putt, dramatically creating a three-way playoff. Kim Sihyun was eliminated on the first playoff hole, and Lee Gayoung clinched the win by landing her third shot just 1.6 meters from the hole on the second playoff. She secured a wire-to-wire victory, having led from the first to the third round.
Lim Heejeong, Heo Dabin, Choi Hyewon, and Yoon Sua finished tied for fourth at 10-under-par 206. Lee Yewon, who leads the major categories this year, finished tied for eighth at 9-under-par 207. Park Minji, who was aiming to become the first in KLPGA Tour history to win the same tournament five times in a row, finished tied for 40th at 3-under-par 213.
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