Kim Hyo-joo made a strong push on the final day of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Aramco Korea Championship, but fell short of achieving a third consecutive title.
On October 11, at the New Korea Country Club in Goyang, South Korea, Kim shot a 6-under 66 in the final round, recording seven birdies and one bogey.
With a total score of 13-under 275, Kim finished tied for 7th, nine strokes behind the winner, Miu Yamashita of Japan, who finished at 22-under 266.
After winning the inaugural event in 2024 and successfully defending her title last year, Kim aimed for a three-peat this year. She was also looking to secure her fifth victory of the season after winning the Founders Cup and the Ford Championship on the LPGA Tour in March, as well as two KLPGA Tour events in May and July.
Starting the final round tied for 13th, six strokes off the lead, Kim quickly began to make up ground. She recorded consecutive birdies on the 3rd hole (par 4) and the 4th hole (par 3), then added another birdie on the 9th hole (par 4) after hitting her second shot within two meters of the hole, finishing the front nine without a bogey and three strokes under par.
In the back nine, Kim continued her pursuit with precise iron shots. She made a birdie on the 11th hole (par 3) and followed it up with birdies on the 14th hole (par 4), 16th hole (par 4), and 17th hole (par 5), narrowing the gap to three strokes from the leader at one point. However, Yamashita maintained her lead, and Kim ended her round with her only bogey of the day on the 18th hole (par 4).
Following this tournament, Kim plans to take a week off before competing in the LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship, which begins on October 22 at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, South Korea.
The championship trophy went to Yamashita, who shot a course record 9-under 63, highlighted by an eagle on the 17th hole (par 5), finishing three strokes ahead of second-place Sara Kouskova of the Czech Republic, who finished at 19-under 269. The winner's prize was $300,000.
Yamashita, who now has four career LPGA Tour victories (two this year), secured her second LET title and third victory of the season, following her win at the AIG Women's Open, a joint major event of the LPGA and LET, last year.
After a long period of struggle, world No. 1 Cheng Jin-yi of Taiwan finished in 4th place with a total score of 16-under 272.
Among Korean players, world No. 1 Park Sung-hyun finished tied for 14th with a total score of 10-under 278.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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