Victory as Sponsor-Invited Player at Lotte Championship
Secures $450,000 Prize and LPGA Tour Card for Next Year
Marks Fifth Win by a Korean Player This Year
Hwang Yumin, known as the "Assault Captain" on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, has reached the top of the United States Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.
On October 4 (local time), at the Hoakalei Country Club (par 72, 6,566 yards) in Iwabichi, Oahu, Hawaii, Hwang shot a 5-under-par 67 in the final round of the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship (total prize money: 3 million dollars), clinching a come-from-behind victory with a total of 17-under-par 271. She participated as a sponsor-invited player and made a major breakthrough. Along with the winner's prize of 450,000 dollars (approximately 630 million won), she also secured a seed to compete on the LPGA Tour next year. This marks the fifth win by Korean players this year.
Hwang Yumin is smiling brightly while holding the trophy immediately after winning the Lotte Championship. Iwabichi (Hawaii) = AFP Yonhap News Photo by AFP
Starting tied for second place, one shot behind the leader, Hwang Yumin recorded six birdies and one bogey. After trading a birdie on the 4th hole (par 3) for a bogey on the 5th (par 5), she maintained par before setting up a comeback with a birdie on the 13th (par 4). She then collected the championship trophy by making four consecutive birdies from holes 15 to 18.
Hwang Yumin debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2023 and has already achieved two career wins, establishing herself as a skilled player. She is especially known for her aggressive playing style, earning her the nickname "Assault Captain." She had planned to enter the LPGA Tour Qualifying Series at the end of the year with the goal of playing in the United States next year, but with this victory, she has now secured her LPGA Tour card.
After her win, Hwang Yumin received congratulations from her seniors, including Kim Hyojoo. In a local broadcast interview, she expressed her excitement, saying, "I was planning to challenge the LPGA Tour, and thanks to my sponsor Lotte's invitation, I was given a great opportunity and was able to make the most of it. It feels like my dream is just beginning, and I am thrilled."
Kim Hyojoo, the 2022 winner of this event, finished as runner-up for the third time this season (16-under-par 272). Minami Katsu of Japan took third place (15-under-par 273), while world number two Nelly Korda of the United States finished tied for fourth (14-under-par 274). Last year's champion Kim Arim finished tied for 10th (12-under-par 276).
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