Hwang Yu-min Secures KLPGA Tour Victory in Thrilling Playoff
After a grueling battle that lasted 6 hours and 45 minutes, including four extensions, Hwang Yu-min, a 21-year-old golfer, emerged victorious at the KLPGA (Korean Women’s Professional Golf) Tour Daebo HouseDi Championship. The tournament concluded on the 9th at Seowon Hills CC in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. This win marked Hwang’s first victory of the season, bringing her total KLPGA Tour wins to three. She was awarded a prize of 250 million Korean won.
The final day was played on a chilly late autumn afternoon, where even a thick coat was necessary between shots. Despite the cold, Hwang, shivering, accepted her colleagues’ “water bottle celebration” with a joyful expression. She reflected on the challenges of the extensions, saying, “Although it was cold and tough during the extensions, the fans’ enthusiastic shouts of ‘Fighting’ helped me gather my strength to keep going.”
For Hwang, who will compete on the U.S. LPGA Tour starting next year, this victory was a perfectly fitting end to the season. She expressed her desire to win this final opportunity of the season since she hadn’t won domestically this year. Hwang said, “I’m overjoyed. Having grown a lot on the KLPGA Tour over the past three years, I believe I can achieve victory on the LPGA Tour as well.”
Hwang, nicknamed the “Charging Captain” for her aggressive play, has gained significant popularity among fans. However, she noted that after experiencing several LPGA Tour and major tournaments, she realized that being unconditionally aggressive is reckless in golf. She added, “In the U.S., I will strategically manage course play according to the situation.” Hwang continued, “Having achieved my childhood dream of joining the LPGA Tour, I will continue to challenge myself to realize my dreams of becoming world number one and winning an Olympic gold medal.”
Hwang started the final three rounds in a tie for first place. On the day, she reduced her score by two strokes with four birdies and two bogeys, finishing at 11-under par alongside Im Hee-jung and Lee Dong-eun. This advanced her to a playoff. In the third playoff hole on the par-4 18th hole, Im Hee-jung was eliminated first. Hwang and Lee Dong-eun then returned to the 18th tee for the fourth playoff hole.
Hwang kept the ball on the fairway with a 3-wood tee shot and successfully used a wedge to reach the green. She sank a 6.4-meter birdie putt into the cup, securing the victory. As Hwang secured the win, some fans cheering around the green danced joyfully, while others shed tears.
Season Finale Highlights
In the season finale, Yu Hyun-jo, who had already secured the Grand Slam, topped the lowest stroke average. In the prize money category, Hong Jeong-min ranked first with 1.34152 billion Korean won, and the Rookie of the Year award went to Seo Kyo-rim.
At the KPGA (Korean Professional Golf) Tour season finale, the “KPGA Tour Championship in Jeju” held at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort (par 72) in Jeju Island on the same day, 42-year-old veteran Park Sang-hyun achieved his second victory of the season. Park recorded a total of 11-under par 277 over four rounds, defeating second-place Lee Tae-hee (10-under par) by one stroke. This was his first win in over two months since the Dong-A Membership Group Open at the end of August, bringing his total KPGA Tour victories to 14. This marked the first time in 20 years since Choi Kwang-soo and Kim Jong-deok in 2005 that a player in his 40s achieved two season wins on the KPGA Tour.
Park, the highest earner on the KPGA Tour, added 220 million Korean won in winner’s prize money, bringing his career earnings to 5.89372 billion Korean won, nearing the 6 billion won mark. He said, “I want to continue my tour life competing for victories with younger players.” Ok Tae-hoon, who finished tied for 29th at 1-under par on the day, also secured the Genesis Grand Slam and the Season Prize Money King title (1.07727 billion Korean won).
