'Long Drive Queen' Lee Dungeun Becomes Major Champion on Her 42nd Attempt

3-under-par in Final Round Secures One-Stroke Victory at Korea Women's Open
First KLPGA Tour Win, Prize Money of 300 Million KRW
Kim Sihyun Finishes Second, Hwang Yumin Third, Noh Seunghee Fourth

'Long drive queen' Lee Dungeun has claimed the major championship title.

On June 15, at Rainbow Hills Country Club (par 72, 6,767 yards) in Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Province, Lee shot a 3-under-par 69 in the final fourth round of the 39th DB Group Korea Women's Open (total prize money: 1.2 billion KRW), securing a one-stroke victory with a total of 13-under-par 275. Having debuted on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour last year, she celebrated her first win in her 42nd tournament appearance. The winner's prize is 300 million KRW.

Lee Dungeun is teeing off in the 4th round of the 39th Korea Women's Open sponsored by DB Group. Photo by DB Group Korea Women's Open Organizing Committee

Lee Dungeun started the round tied for the lead by one stroke and recorded four birdies (with one bogey). She made birdies on holes 4 and 8, reducing her score by two strokes on the front nine. After a bogey on the 13th hole, she immediately recovered with a birdie on the 14th hole (both par 4s). She added a crucial birdie on the 16th hole (par 5) and finished the remaining two holes with pars to secure the championship.

Since her rookie season last year, Lee has been recognized as a promising player for her exceptional driving distance. Last year, she ranked third in driving distance behind Bang Shinsil and Yoon Ina, but this year, she has surpassed Bang Shinsil and has consistently led the driving distance category. On the KLPGA Tour, she is known for best utilizing the strategy of hitting long drives and attacking the green with a wedge or short iron from close range. She currently ranks first in greens in regulation this year.

Kim Si-hyun reduced her score by two strokes to finish second by one stroke (12-under-par 276). This marks her second consecutive runner-up finish, following her playoff loss at last week's Celltrion Queens Masters. Hwang Yumin finished third (8-under-par 280). Noh Seunghee, who was aiming for back-to-back Korea Women's Open titles for the first time in 21 years since Song Boba in 2004, finished fourth (7-under-par 281). Lee Yewon, who leads in prize money and player of the year points, finished the tournament in 23rd place (3-over-par 291).