▲ Kim Min-sol, winner of the Korea Women's Open
Kim Min-sol has claimed victory at the Korea Women's Open, the first major tournament of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour season and a prestigious "national title" event.
In the final fourth round of the 40th Mercedes-Benz Korea Women's Open held today at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Kim finished with a one-under-par score, carding two birdies and one bogey.
With a final total of four-under-par, Kim edged out 18-year-old amateur national team player Yang Yoon-seo (three-under-par) by a single stroke to take the title.
Having already won the iM Financial Open earlier this year, Kim became the first player to reach two wins this season, bringing her career total to four victories.
Along with the winner's prize of 400 million won, Kim received a sports utility vehicle (SUV) worth 130 million won.
Surpassing 770 million won in season earnings, Kim has jumped to first place in the prize money rankings and the grand prize (Daesang) points race, while also solidifying her lead in the Rookie of the Year standings.
Kim also secured spots in the AIG Women's Open, one of the majors on the LPGA Tour, and the Japan Women's Open Championship, the national title event in Japan.
Although Yang Yoon-seo narrowly missed out on becoming the first amateur to win the Korea Women's Open in 23 years, her impressive performance and second-place finish signaled the arrival of a major new prospect.
Noh Seung-hee and Kim Min-sun (Kim Min-sun 7) finished tied for third at one-over-par, while Thailand's Patcharajutar Kongkraphan and Seo Uh-jin tied for fifth.
Shin Ji-yai, competing in the tournament for the first time in 18 years since her 2008 Korea Women's Open victory, finished at three-over-par, tying for seventh place with Jeon Woo-ri, Shin Da-in, and Choi Ye-bon.
(Photo: Courtesy of Korea Golf Association, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.