Struggles with 1-Over-Par in AIG Women's Open Final Round
Falls Short of Second Major and Fourth Career Victory
Yamashita Claims Title; Kim Seiyoung and Kim Hyojoo Tie for 13th
Kim Arim failed to secure a major championship title.
On August 3 (local time), at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club (par 72, 6,556 yards) in Mid Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom, Kim lost one stroke in the final round of the AIG Women's Open, the last major tournament of the year with a total prize fund of $9.75 million, dropping to a tie for fourth place at 7-under-par 281. She was unable to achieve her second LPGA Tour victory of the season and fourth career win overall, after her victory at the season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in February.
Arim Kim is reading the slope of the green on the 9th hole of the 4th round at the AIG Women's Open. Photo by AP, Wales
Kim Arim was aiming to become the sixth Korean player to win this tournament. Korean golfers who have previously collected the trophy are Park Seri in 2001, Jang Jeong in 2005, Shin Jiye in 2008 and 2012, Park Inbee in 2015, and Kim Inkyung in 2017.
After claiming two victories on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, Kim Arim won the major US Women's Open in 2020 as a non-member, which led her to join the LPGA Tour the following year. She added to her career wins with the Lotte Championship last year and the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions earlier this year, bringing her total to three career victories.
Starting the final round in second place, one stroke behind the leader, Kim carded five birdies and six bogeys. After a birdie on the second hole (par 4), she faltered with consecutive bogeys on the third and fourth holes. Following a bogey on the seventh hole (par 4), she chased the lead with back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth holes and another birdie on the 13th hole (par 5). However, consecutive bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes, as well as a bogey on the 17th hole (par 4), pushed her out of contention. She missed the fairway eight times and the green seven times, and her total number of putts rose to 31.
Miyu Yamashita is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the 4th round of the AIG Women's Open. Photo by AP Yonhap News, Porthcawl (Wales)
Miyu Yamashita (Japan) reduced her score by two strokes to claim victory by a two-stroke margin at 11-under-par 277. She maintained her lead at the top of the leaderboard for three consecutive days, securing a flawless win. Yamashita is a rookie who debuted on the LPGA Tour this year and claimed her first victory in her 16th tournament of the season. The winner's prize is $1,462,500 (approximately 2 billion KRW). Japanese players have shown strong performance this season, combining for four wins, including two major titles.
Charley Hull (England) showed late momentum with a 3-under-par 69 but had to settle for a tie for second place at 9-under-par 279. Last year, she finished runner-up at this event, edged out by Lilia Vu (USA). Minami Katsu also tied for second, while Rio Takeda (both Japan) shared fourth place.
Lottie Woad (England), who won her professional debut at last week's Scottish Open, finished tied for eighth at 4-under-par 284. Among Korean players, Kim Seiyoung and Kim Hyojoo tied for 13th at 2-under-par 286, while Lim Jinhui, Yoo Haeran, and Shin Jieun tied for 23rd at even-par 288. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) and last year's champion Lydia Ko (New Zealand) finished tied for 36th at 3-over-par 291.
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