Yoon Ina came close to her first victory on the LPGA Tour but ultimately fell short.
On October 5, Yoon shot a 4-under 68 in the final round of the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. She recorded seven birdies and three bogeys.
With a total score of 18-under 270, Yoon finished three strokes behind second-ranked world player, Jino Titiqun of Thailand, who posted a score of 21-under 267.
Yoon, who debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2025 and is now in her second year, aimed for her first win at this tournament but had to settle for her second runner-up finish this season, following the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June.
Starting the final round three strokes behind Titiqun, Yoon made a strong push by scoring four birdies in the first five holes. However, she dropped two strokes with bogeys on the 8th and 14th holes, widening the gap to two strokes.
The competition intensified in the final moments. On the 16th hole, Titiqun hit her tee shot into the water, resulting in a double bogey, while Yoon made par, allowing her to tie for the lead.
However, a critical mistake occurred on the 17th hole. Yoon's tee shot veered right into a penalty area, costing her a stroke. In contrast, Titiqun successfully made a birdie putt from about 10 meters, quickly regaining a two-stroke lead. Titiqun added another birdie on the 18th hole, securing a three-stroke victory.
This win marked Titiqun's fourth of the season and her 11th overall on the LPGA Tour, tying her with Nelly Korda for the most wins this season. The winner's prize was $450,000.
Among Korean players, 2024 champion Kim Ah-rim finished tied for seventh with a total score of 14-under 274. Lee Jeong-eun 5 ended in a tie for 10th with a score of 13-under 275, while Im Jin-hee and Choi Hye-jin both finished tied for 13th at 12-under 276.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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