Kang Min-ji reaches 'career high' with a T-5 finish at the LPGA Meyer Classic... Yamashita wins in playoff

*This content was translated by AI.

Kang Min-ji (27, PXG) achieved a personal best result, finishing tied for fifth at the LPGA Meyer Classic (total purse $3.25 million).

On the 22nd (Korean time), Kang Min-ji shot a 6-under-par 66 with one eagle, five birdies, and one bogey during the final fourth round at Belmont Blythefields Country Club (par 72) in Belmont, Michigan, USA.

Finishing with a total of 14-under-par 274, Kang Min-ji tied for fifth alongside Australia's Casey Porter to close out the tournament.

Kang Min-ji, who began her elite golf career later than others in high school, pursued her dream of becoming a professional golfer while attending university in the United States, unlike many who turn pro immediately after high school graduation.

After competing on the Epson Tour (second tier), Kang Min-ji debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2024, dropped to the second tier last year, and returned to the main tour this year.

Her best tour result to date was a T-9 at the Riviera Maya Open in April this year, surpassing her previous best and securing her second top-10 finish of the season.

Starting from the upper echelons after cutting four strokes in the final part of the first round, she gained momentum by achieving a hole-in-one in the second round. After finishing the third round at even par, the final round began with some uncertainty.

She recorded a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4), but immediately began her comeback from the 3rd hole (par 4). Following a birdie on the 3rd, she reduced her score with three consecutive birdies starting from the 5th hole (par 3).

In the back nine, she held par after the 12th hole (par 4), but caught an eagle on the 18th hole (par 5) to set a personal best result.

After the match, Kang Min-ji said, "My shots and putts were both good. I'm especially happy to finish the final hole with an eagle." She added, "I am very satisfied with my current performance. I am enjoying the competition more than before, and both my confidence and results are improving. I have gained confidence."

Lee So-mi (27) also surged. Recording 5-under-par today, she finished with a total of 11-under-par 277, tying for 10th alongside Japan's Riko Takeda. This marked her second consecutive top-10 finish.

Lee So-mi, who had finished tied for third with Im Jin-hee (28) in the team event last week at the Dow Championship, achieved her fifth top-10 finish of the season.

The victory belonged to Japan's Miyu Yamashita. Yamashita shot 8-under-par today, finishing with a total of 17-under-par 271, tying with England's Lottie Woad and advancing to a playoff.

Yamashita secured a birdie on the first playoff hole, which was the 18th hole, defeating Woad, who made par, to claim the title. She also took home the winning prize of $500,000 (approximately 770 million won).

Yamashita, who won two titles last year including the major AIG Women's Open and was named LPGA Rookie of the Year, achieved her third career tour victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.