(Photo credit score: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-Imagn Images)
South Korea’s Youmin Hwang birdied 5 of the final six holes, together with 4 straight to complete the spherical and seize the Lotte Championship for her first LPGA Tour victory on Saturday in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Hwang carded a 5-under-par 67 to complete at 17-under 271, one stroke forward of fellow South Korean Hyo Joo Kim, who birdied No. 18 and shot 68 on Saturday, and two forward of Japan’s Minami Katsu (69).
The 22-year-old Hwang fired a career-best and course-record, 10-under 62 on Thursday to carry a three-shot lead after two rounds at Hoakalei Country Club. She adopted that with a 3-over 75 on Friday to fall into an eight-way tie for second at 12 below.
Hwang had a flat entrance 9 on Saturday, following one birdie on the par-3 No. 4 with a bogey on the par-5 No. 5 and in any other case settling for par. The again 9 was a distinct story after three straight pars.
She birdied the par-4 No. 13 to get to 13 below for the match, made par at No. 14 after which ripped off consecutive birdies at Nos. 15-18 — the primary gap a par-3 and the final a par-5.
‘I truly did not imagine in myself, however, yeah, my caddie, he supported me very effectively in the course of the course,’ Hwang mentioned via a translator when requested concerning the tournament-ending birdie run. ‘He mentioned we will make it, and he mentioned some type of help from him. Thanks to his help, I believe I could be right here the winner of as we speak’s championship.’
With Hwang’s first LPGA Tour win, she will be able to select to change into a tour member instantly or defer to 2026. Hwang additionally has two profession victories on the LPGA of Korea Tour, and she or he gained a Taiwan LPGA Tour occasion this yr.
‘I’m glad issues went very effectively, simply as I deliberate for this yr as problem,’ Hwang mentioned via a translator and in addition thanked Lotte, which invited her to the match because the sponsor.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda, searching for her first win in 2025, carded 69 for the third time in 4 rounds (the opposite a 67 on Thursday) to complete in a four-way tie for fourth at 14 below.
Korda birdied Nos. 1, 2, 10, 11 and 15, countered by bogeys at Nos. 9 and 16. She tied with Taiwan’s Peiyn Chien (70 on Saturday), third-round chief Akie Iwai of Japan (71) and American Jessica Porvasnik (70).
‘I imply, my recreation plan, it is fairly easy: It’s all the time to offer all the things 100% and focus in and dial in it,’ Korda mentioned. ‘If I’m doing what I can, then that is type of like essentially the most that I can do. But it was good to be in rivalry. The finish purpose, all the time, with out saying, for everybody on this area, is to carry that trophy on Sunday. Falling a bit bit brief positively motivated. Have some work to do and have a pair extra occasions to finish off the season.’
–Field Level Media