Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee's 'heart-wrenching miss and double bogey' lead to a shared runner-up finish at the LA Championship after an extra-hole playoff... Winner is Hannah Green [LPGA]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Sei-young (33, Sportrade) and Im Jin-hee (28, Shinhan Financial Group) missed out on the championship trophy. They finished as joint runners-up after an intense extra-hole battle at the LPGA Tour LA Championship (total purse $4.75 million).

Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee finished as runners-up after being overtaken by Australia's Hannah Green, who secured a birdie on the first extra hole of the playoff held on the 20th (Korean time) at El Caballero Country Club (par 72) in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Kim Sei-young aimed for her 14th career victory, six months after her last win at the BMW Ladies Championship in October last year, while Im Jin-hee, who won alongside Lee So-mi (27) at the Team Event DOW Championship in June last year, attempted to claim her second title after a 10-month gap, but fate turned against them at the final moment.

Starting the day as the sole leader with a two-stroke advantage over second place, Kim Sei-young recorded three birdies, one eagle, and three bogeys to shoot a 2-under-par 70. Her final total of 17-under-par 271 strokes led to a playoff against Im Jin-hee and Australia's Hannah Green.

After executing a perfect trouble shot on the 5th hole (par 4) and saving par, Kim Sei-young engaged in fierce competition with Im Jin-hee. Although Kim had temporarily shared the lead, she reclaimed the top spot after Im Jin-hee committed a critical double bogey on the 10th hole (par 4).

On the 11th hole (par 5), a wedge shot rolling down the slope was sucked into the hole for an eagle, bringing victory within reach. Kim extended her lead to three strokes over second-place Im Jin-hee.

However, errors immediately followed on the 12th hole (par 4). Her tee shot veered left into the rough, and her second shot landed in a bunker. Subsequent approach shots fell short, costing her a stroke. Although she missed a short birdie putt on the 14th hole (par 4), she bounced back immediately on the 15th hole (par 3).

The problem arose on the 16th hole (par 5). Her driver tee shot went left into the bushes, resulting in a penalty stroke and requiring a re-tee. She ultimately carded a bogey, allowing Hannah Green to close the gap to one stroke.

Kim Sei-young, who had been one stroke ahead of the second-place group, hit her tee shot into a bunker on the 17th hole (par 3) and carded another bogey, dropping to a tie for first place.

Im Jin-hee's chase intensified. Starting from the 3rd hole, she recorded three consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes (both par 4) and reduced the gap by one stroke on the 7th hole (par 5), taking sole possession of the lead.

Although a double bogey on the 10th hole (par 4) seemed to end her championship hopes, she closed the gap with a birdie on the 11th hole (par 5). Still two strokes behind leader Kim Sei-young in second place, she made a breakthrough on the 16th hole (par 5). Her long eagle putt dropped perfectly into the hole, cutting the deficit by two strokes and propelling her to a tie for first. She then sank another long putt on the 17th hole (par 4), achieving a birdie-like par. Ultimately, she joined Hannah Green in a three-way playoff after reducing her score by five strokes in the final nine holes.

In the playoff starting on the 18th hole (par 4), Im Jin-hee, who teed off first, faltered. Her tee shot drifted right onto the cart path and into the rough. She faced a second shot toward a tall tree line and ultimately landed in the rough. Despite a perfect approach shot, she could only manage par.

Kim Sei-young and Green both landed their tee shots on the fairway, but their second shots diverged in outcome. Kim's ball settled far from the hole, while Green's landed much closer. Kim's birdie putt missed, while Green's went in, determining the winner.

Following the announcement the previous day of a $1 million increase in the total purse, Green claimed $712,500 (approximately 1.051 billion won) as the winner's prize. This is the largest purse among LPGA non-major tournaments. Green has now won the LA Championship for the third consecutive year, following victories in 2023 and 2024.

Although they did not secure victory, the Korean players' performances stood out. Kim Sei-young and Im Jin-hee finished as joint runners-up, Yoon Euna (23) placed fourth, and Yoo Hae-ran (25) tied for fifth, with four Koreans occupying the top five positions.

Despite the lingering disappointment, Im Jin-hee and Kim Sei-young each earned $388,849 (approximately 573 million won) as runners-up.

Yoon Euna (23, Solare), who had been tied for second place and in contention for a comeback victory until the previous day, managed only a 3-under-par round on this day, finishing with a total of 16-under-par 272 strokes in solo fourth place. This marks her best individual result since joining the LPGA Tour last year.

Yoo Hae-ran, who shot a 6-under-par round as the Daily Best player, finished with a total of 14-under-par 274 strokes, climbing 14 positions from joint 19th to tie for fifth place. Four Korean players secured spots in the top 10.

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*This content was translated by AI.