Golf

Finishing flourish helps Hwang claim first LPGA title

By AAP Newswire

Oct 5, 2025

golf stock — Korean golfer Youmin Hwang has won her first US LPGA Tour event with victory in Hawaii. -AAP Image

Korean golfer Youmin Hwang has finished with a late birdie blitz to claim her first LPGA Tour victory at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii.

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Her success on Sunday extended the season's streak without a repeat winner to 25 tournaments.

A Korean LPGA member in the field on a sponsor's invite, Hwang birdied the final four holes and five of the last six at breezy Hoakalei Country Club on Sunday for a five-under 67 and a one-shot victory over Hyo Joo Kim.

"This is my dream," Hwang said through a translator. "Finally, I achieved my dream here at the LOTTE Championship, and I also very much look forward to my future as well in the LPGA."

As a non-member of the LPGA Tour, the 22-year-old Hwang has the option to accept immediate membership or defer to next season.

The two-time KLPGA winner won in her sixth career LPGA start and fourth of the season, after making the weekend cuts in the US Women's Open, KPMG Women's PGA and Evian Championship.

Tied for the lead with Kim and Minami Katsu after her birdie on the par-4 17th, Hwang got a break when Katsu and Kim each bogeyed the hole in the group behind.

On the par-5 18th, Hwang hit her second shot through the green into rough and chipped to 30cm.

Hwang finished at 17-under 271. She shot a career-best 62 on Thursday to open a three-stroke lead, then had a 75 on Friday to drop into a tie for second, a shot behind Japan's Akie Iwai.

Kim birdied the 18th for a 68 to finish at 16 under, with Katsu third at 15 under after a 69 on Sunday.

American world No.2 Nelly Korda closed with a 69 to finish three back at 17 under with Peiyun Chien (70), Jessica Porvasnik (70) and Iwai (71).

Coming off a seven-victory season, Korda hasn't won yet this year.

"Overall, I'm putting myself into contention," Korda said.

"It's definitely an interesting year for me result-wise, but at the end of the day I'm giving it 100 per cent, controlling what I can control, and I'm happy with that."

After a brilliant start to the tournament, Gabriela Ruffels was the leading Australian at seven under after rounds of 65, 69, 75 and a closing 72.

Compatriot Robyn Choi (71, 72, 69, 70) was a shot further back at six under.

The LPGA Tour now heads to Asia for five weeks of tournaments in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.