Honolulu – Youmin Hwang won the Lotte title on Saturday as she won her first victory on the LPGA Tour, which made a big win with the season opening record without having to repeat the 25-game title.
Hwang is a Korean LPGA member of the Korean LPGA in the field, with 67 under 5 in the last four holes and five of the last six holes at the Breezy Hoakalei Country Club and a win against Hyo Joo Kim.
Huang said: “Thanks to Lotte for his support, I can win here.”
As a non-member of the LPGA Tour, the 22-year-old Hwang can choose to be an instant member or postpone the next season. The two-time KLPGA title started her sixth career LPGA and won the championship for the fourth time this season – after weekend layoffs in the U.S. Major Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA and Evian Championships.
After her birdie 17 on the 17th, tied for the lead with Kim and Minami Katsu (Kim and Minami Katsu), Hwang took a break when Katsu and Kim rowed in the group behind. On the 18th stroke of 5-18, Huang (Hwang) hit her second shot in the green and ripped it into one foot.
Hwang ended below 171 shots below 271. She opened the lead with a career-best 62 on Thursday before scoring 75 on Friday to second place – trailing Akie Iwai.
Kim Birding ranked 18th at 68.
Katsu ranked 15th after he was 69 years old.
No. 2 Nelly Korda ended with a 69 finish, ending three-pointers under 17, Peiyun Chien (70), Jessica Porvasnik (70) and Iwai (71). Korda won in a seven-win season.
“In general, I’ve got myself into controversy,” Korda said. “It’s definitely been an interesting year for me, but at the end of the day, I give it 100% control over what I can control and I’m happy with that.”
The LPGA Tour is now heading to Asia for five consecutive weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.
