Rookie Kim Min-sol Wins First Major Title at Korean Women's Open

Rookie Kim Min-sol claimed victory at the Korean Women's Open, the first major of the KLPGA season, with a total prize pool of 1.5 billion won. [Photo=Korea Golf Association]

Rookie Kim Min-sol won the Korean Women's Open, the first major tournament of the KLPGA Tour season, on June 14 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. The tournament featured a total prize pool of 1.5 billion won.
In the final round, Kim recorded two birdies and one bogey for a score of 1-under 70. With a total score of 4-under 280, she edged out Yang Yoon-seo, who finished at 3-under 281, by one stroke to lift the championship trophy.
Competing as a rookie this season, Kim previously secured a wire-to-wire victory at the iM Financial Open in April. With this latest win, she became the first player this season to achieve two victories, bringing her total career wins on the regular tour to four.
Kim received a prize of 400 million won and a sports utility vehicle valued at 130 million won. Additionally, she earned spots in the AIG Women's Open, a major event on the LPGA Tour, and the Japan Women's Open Championship, marking a significant achievement.
Kim also took the lead in various title races, ranking first in season earnings with approximately 776.32 million won, as well as in points for both the Player of the Year (243 points) and Rookie of the Year (1,148 points).
Starting the final round tied for the lead, Kim and Yang engaged in a fierce battle for the title. The turning point came amid sudden adverse weather conditions, leading to a 2-hour and 55-minute suspension due to lightning warnings. After the delay, Yang missed a 5-meter par putt on the 14th hole, resulting in a bogey, while Kim maintained par, taking a two-stroke lead.
Riding the momentum, Kim made a successful 6-meter birdie putt on the 15th hole, further solidifying her path to victory. Although she recorded a bogey on the final 18th hole, she finished one stroke ahead of Yang to secure the win.
No Seung-hee and Kim Min-sol tied for third place with a total score of 1-over 285. Seo Ji-eun and Thailand's Pacharajuta Kongkrapan finished in a tie for fifth at 2-over 286.
Shin Ji-ae, competing in the Korean Women's Open for the first time in 18 years and aiming for her third title, concluded the tournament with a total score of 3-over 287, finishing in a tie for seventh.
Park Min-ji, who was chasing a record 21st career victory on the KLPGA Tour, finished with a total score of 6-over 290, placing her in a tie for 22nd and postponing her record attempt.

* This article has been translated by AI.