Lee Yoolin Claims First Victory After Longest '5-Hole Playoff' of the Season

Defeats Park Jiyeong at the SangSangIn-Hankyung Wow Net Open
Claims First Title in 81st Tournament Since 2023 Debut
Jeong Yunji Finishes 3rd, Yoo Hyeonjo 5th, Hwang Yoomin 7th

Yoo Rin Lee, now in her third year, finally succeeded on her 81st attempt after 80 previous tries.

On October 19, at Lakewood Country Club (par 72, 6,605 yards) in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, during the fourth round of the KLPGA Tour SangSangIn-Hankyung Wow Net Open (total prize money: 1.2 billion won), Lee shot a 1-under-par 71 to tie with Park Ji Young (both at 12-under-par 276). After the longest playoff of the season, which lasted five extra holes, she celebrated her first career victory.

Yoo Rin Lee cheers from behind after making a winning birdie on the 5th hole of the SangSangIn-Hankyung Wow Net Open. Provided by KLPGA

Having debuted on the regular tour in 2023, Lee achieved her first win in her 81st tournament appearance. The winner’s prize is 216 million won. Before this tournament, Lee was ranked 74th on the money list and was at risk of being forced into the qualifying tournament, but with this victory, she immediately secured a two-year tour card.

Lee started the final round with a one-shot lead, recording five birdies and four bogeys. After struggling and losing one stroke over 16 holes, she sank a birdie putt of about 4.5 meters on the par-5 17th hole to close the gap to one shot, then dramatically holed a birdie putt of nearly 6 meters on the par-4 18th to force a playoff.

During the first and second playoff holes held on the 18th, both Lee and Park made par. The playoff continued on the same hole with the pin position changed for the third and fourth extra holes, but neither could break the tie, both making par again. In the fifth playoff, also on the 18th, Park saved par after rolling her ball close from the fringe, but Lee ended the marathon playoff by sinking an approximately 8-meter birdie putt.

Park Ji Young, who was aiming for her first win in a year and two months since the Hanwha Classic in August last year, had to settle for runner-up. Jung Yoon Ji finished third (11-under-par 277), Lee Jae Yoon was fourth (10-under-par 278), and Yoo Hyun Jo and Han Jin Sun tied for fifth (9-under-par 279). Hwang Yu Min, who won the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship earlier this month and will advance to the United States next season, tied for seventh (8-under-par 280) with Park Hyun Kyung, Park Hye Jun, and others.