One-Stroke Victory at OK Savings Bank Uthman Open
Fifth Career Win, Second in Player of the Year Points, Third in Scoring Average
Lee Dongun Second, Sung Yujin Third, Park Sunghyun Sixteenth
'Long Drive Queen' Bang Shinshil has claimed her third trophy of the year.
On September 14, at Adonis Country Club (par 72, 6,598 yards) in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, Bang shot a 5-under-par 67 in the final third round of the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour OK Savings Bank Uthman Open (total prize money: 1 billion won), winning by one stroke with a total of 15-under-par 201. This marks her third victory of the season following the Nexen Saintnine Masters in April and the High1 Resort Women's Open in July, and her fifth career win. The winner's prize is 180 million won. Bang Shinshil is now tied for the most wins this season alongside Lee Yewon. She ranks second in Player of the Year points (407 points), third in scoring average (69.90), and fifth in the prize money rankings (869.82 million won).
Bang Shinshil started the round tied for the lead by three strokes and collected six birdies (with one bogey). She traded one birdie and one bogey through the 10th hole, unable to lower her score, but then picked up three birdies on the 11th, 13th, and 15th holes to stay tied for the lead with Lee Dongun. On the crucial 17th hole (par 3), she made a clutch birdie to take sole possession of the lead, then celebrated her victory with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 4).
Bang Shinshil's remarkable late-round strength is credited to the physical training she focused on last winter. She said, "Last season, I struggled with physical issues and often collapsed in the final stages of the third and fourth rounds," adding, "I made up for my shortcomings by doing various types of training, which was the key to my victory."
Bang Shinshil suffered after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a condition that causes excessive hormone production, in 2021. She lost nearly 10 kilograms and endured extreme fatigue. Even after overcoming the illness, she found it difficult to focus on physical training and couldn't invest as much time in running as other players did.
However, after last season, Bang Shinshil began efficient aerobic exercise and also incorporated strength training. She said, "My left calf is slightly weaker than my right, so I focused on strengthening that area," and added, "Aerobic and strength training helped me address my weaknesses and significantly improved my stamina."
Bang Sinshil is smiling while holding the trophy with her caddy right after winning the OK Savings Bank Eutman Open. KLPGA
Bang Shinshil's goal for this year is to become the season's winningest player. She said, "I want to win one more tournament in the remaining events," and added with a bright smile, "In particular, I hope to win the major HiteJinro Championship and celebrate with a beer ceremony."
Lee Dongun finished second (14-under-par 202), Sung Yujin took third (13-under-par 204), Kang Gayul was fourth (11-under-par 205), and Park Jooyoung placed fifth (10-under-par 206). Yoo Hyunjo, who raised the trophy for the second consecutive year at last week's major KB Financial Star Championship, finished tied for ninth (6-under-par 210). Park Sunghyun, a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, finished tied for 16th (5-under-par 211).
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