Honolulu
South Korea’s Youmin Hwang captured her maiden LPGA Tour victory at the LOTTE Championship on Sunday, delivering a sensational late surge with five birdies in her last six holes to win by one stroke at Hoakalei Country Club.
The 22-year-old, who entered the event on a sponsor invite, fired a 5-under 67 in the final round to finish at 17-under 271, edging compatriot Hyo Joo Kim. Hwang birdied her final four holes, showing remarkable calm under the windy Hawaiian conditions.
A member of the Korean LPGA Tour, Hwang now has the option to accept immediate LPGA membership or defer it until next season. This was only her sixth LPGA start and fourth of the season. She had earlier made the cut in the U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA, and Evian Championship.
After a brilliant opening-round 62, Hwang briefly slipped with a 75 on Friday before rebounding strongly. On the 17th hole, she tied for the lead, then took advantage as both Kim and Japan’s Minami Katsu bogeyed behind her. Her precise chip on the par-5 18th set up a tap-in for victory.
Kim birdied the final hole to finish second at 16 under, while Katsu was third at 15 under after carding 69.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda shot a 69 to finish three strokes behind the leader, extending her winless run this season despite seven titles last year.
The LPGA Tour now heads to Asia for five consecutive events across Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan.
