Grace Kim, a rookie on the LPGA tour, won her first title after only three starts. The Australian 22-year old, who counts Karrie as her mentor, smiled through the hula dance of the Lotte Championship. The rookie did not back down from anything on her way to a victory in the playoffs over Yu Liu, Yu Jin Sung and others.
Kim won $300,000 in the winner’s cheque after birdying the last two holes of regulation. She has also earned her place in next week’s Chevron Champions – the first major event of the year.
Kim, who had played aggressively in the final round, said: “I suppose it was a great day after all.”
Sung, who wanted to be the first sponsor invitation to win the LPGA since Lydia Ko won in 2013, took out her compact makeup on the 18th hole in regulation. The Korean LPGA golfer made a birdie at the last hole after the touch-up to enter the playoff.
When you’re trying to become the first sponsor invite to win on the LPGA in 10 years … pic.twitter.com/S5tsaz1q4Q
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) April 16, 2023
Sung, who had at least shared the lead in the second round of the tournament, faltered in the playoff for the first time when her third shot was thinned back over the green.
Lui, who was tied with 15th place entering the final round, waited for well over an hour before the playoff began. She shot a 64 in the final round to take over at 12 under.
Georgia Hall, who was the most decorated player in the field on Saturday, appeared to be on a roll after a par-saving save of first class on the ninth. Hall, who is a major winner, finished as runner-up in the DIO Implant LA Open, and the LPGA Drive On Championship. She was beaten again by her putter at the end of the course. The Englishwoman won her last LPGA title at the 2020 Portland Classic.
Linnea Storm of Sweden fought at the top, but a double bogey at the par-4 fourteenth hole gave her a tough fight. To get into the playoff, the 2022 Epson Tour Player-of-the Year had to make it out of the bunker on the 18th to birdie. She finished with a score of 69, which was good enough for a tie for fourth.
Kim has won the Karrie Webb Scholarship four times. She was at Hazeltine to witness Hannah Green, another scholarship winner, win the KPMG Women’s PGA. The scholarship includes a trip to an LPGA Major with Webb.
This win is a great credit to her,” said Kim. She is the first novice to win since Atthaya Thtikul won her second 2022 title at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September last year.
