[PHOTOS: Orlando Ramirez]
As a non-LPGA Tour member, Youmin Hwang was playing on a sponsor’s exemption in the Lotte Championship in Hawaii and was seemingly out of contention during the final round on Saturday, four shots behind. And yet, the 22-year-old from South Korea made a name for herself by blazing through the back nine, birdieing five of the last six holes, including the final four.
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Hwang also produced LPGA history, becoming the 26th different player to win an event this season, tying the LPGA record. It was done in 1995, 2018 and 2022, but this season is different because the 26 winners in 25 events (including one team tournament) are to start the season.
Hwang shot 67-62-75-67 to win by one shot at 17-under at Hoakalei Country Club on the island of Oahu.
“I still cannot believe that I am the champion this year,” Hwang said through a translator. “We have a different winner every [event]. Maybe I will be the consecutive winner next year if I try really hard and do my best. Let’s see.”
Hwang’s mentor, Hyo Joo Kim, who won the Lotte in 2022 and would have been the first repeat champion this year, finished second with a final-round 68, and Minami Katsu shot 69 to finish two shots behind. The pick of the Australians was Gabi Ruffels in a tie for 28th at seven-under, the Victorian sliding back after an opening 65.
Asked about the improbable streak of birdies on the finishing holes, Hwang said: “I think I barely felt anything. I cannot think of anything. I just tried really to focus on each hole. I did my play.”
She did her thing on the celebratory 18th green by learning last-minute hula moves with dancers in Hawaii. It was a memorable moment that might have rattled her more than the back nine.
“I thought hula dancing was easy to dance and perform, but it was quite difficult, and I was a little nervous and shy at first,” Hwang said. “But I really tried hard to follow the dancers.”
Minami Katsu plays her shot from the 18th tee during the final round.
Kim and Katsu both bogeyed the 17th hole to drop out of a three-way tie. And when Hwang birdied the par-5 18th in the group in front of them, the pair needed eagles to force a playoff. Kim made a birdie, but Katsu only managed par.
The win yielded many benefits, including a $US450,000 pay cheque and LPGA Tour membership. Hwang can either take up membership immediately – starting with the Asia swing that begins next week – or wait until next year. It sounds like she’ll choose the latter.
“I don’t have anything planned yet, but I think I need it talk to my team as well. Maybe not yet,” said Hwang, who has two victories on her home KLPGA Tour.
World No.2 Nelly Korda was right there again, moving to 15-under after a birdie at the 15th hole. But she gave it right back with an errant tee shot way right on the 16th and missed a short putt to bogey. She finished tied for fourth with a 69, which gave Korda a sixth top-five finish this season. Korda, who won seven events last year, remains winless this season and has few opportunities remaining.
It’s sounding like Korda will skip four of the upcoming Asia events while representing the US team in the International Crown (October 23-26 in South Korea). She then plans to finish up the season in her home state of Florida in The Annika tournament and season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
“A little disappointed,” Korda said of her finish. “…Overall, I’m putting myself into contention. It’s definitely an interesting year for me result-wise, but at the end of the day I’m giving it 100 percent, controlling what I can control and I’m happy with that.”
