Youmin Hwang secured her first victory on the LPGA Tour by winning the LOTTE Championship at Hoakalei Country Club, finishing with a score of five-under 67. The achievement comes after an impressive final stretch where Hwang birdied the last four holes, ultimately sealing her win with a one-shot lead over Hyo Joo Kim on April 15, 2024.
Hwang began the day tied for the lead alongside Kim and Minami Katsu, but her late surge proved decisive. After birdieing the par-four 17th, she benefited from a bogey by Katsu and Kim, allowing her to take the lead into the final hole. On the par-five 18th, despite hitting her second shot into the rough, Hwang managed to chip to within a foot of the hole, securing her victory.
“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.” Her performance not only marks a personal milestone but also positions her as a rising star in women’s golf.
In contrast, Nelly Korda, the second-ranked player in the world, finished three strokes behind Hwang with a score of 17-under 69. Despite not winning this year, Korda expressed optimism about her performance. “Overall, I’m putting myself into contention,” she stated. “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.”
Korda’s competitive spirit remains intact as she noted, “I just love the grind. I love going out there, competing, doing what I love, playing in front of the fans who are just as passionate about the game as we are, and also going home and working hard on my craft.”
The LPGA Tour now progresses to Asia, with tournaments scheduled for five consecutive weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan. This exciting stretch presents an opportunity for players to capitalize on their momentum as they compete on international soil.
