'A Historic First in 60 Years': Yoo Hae-ran Overcomes a 10-Stroke Deficit for a Dramatic Comeback Victory, Claiming Her First Major Title... Yoon Na-na Finishes with a Personal Best Runner-Up Finish [LPGA]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yoo Hae-ran (25, Daol Financial Group) conquered her first major tournament on the LPGA Tour in her career.

On the 29th (Korean time), Yoo Hae-ran shot a 2-under-par 70 with five birdies and three bogeys in the final fourth round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, the season's third major held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA (par 72).

Finishing with a total of 13-under-par 275, Yoo Hae-ran finished two strokes ahead of second-place Yoon Na-na (23, Solare) to claim the title. She also secured the winning prize of $1.95 million (approximately 3 billion won).

Yoo Hae-ran, who recorded her fourth career victory one year and one month after the Black Desert Championship last May, lifted the trophy in a major tournament for the first time since her LPGA Tour debut in 2023. This is also the first major title won by a Korean player in two years, following 2024 tournament winner Yang Hee-young (37).

The victory also holds significance in stopping world No. 1 Nelly Koda (USA) from achieving a three-peat in majors. Koda, who challenged for a sweep of all majors this season with wins at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open, finished tied for eighth (6-under-par 282) in this tournament, failing to surpass Yoo Hae-ran.

Starting the tournament in a tie for 70th place with a first-round 73, Yoo Hae-ran began 10 strokes behind Yoon Na-na, who shot a tournament-record 63. However, she then mounted a steep comeback. After overtaking Yoon Na-na to take sole possession of the lead in the third round, she ultimately secured the victory. According to the LPGA, this is the first recorded instance in 60 years of a player overcoming a deficit of 10 strokes or more in the first round of a major tournament to win.

On the 1st hole (par 4), she recorded a bogey, allowing Brooke Henderson (Canada) to share the lead, but bounced back with a birdie on the 3rd hole (par 5) thanks to a perfect iron shot.

However, she read bogeys on consecutive holes at the 4th (par 3) and 5th (par 4), dropping to second place.

She regained focus late in the front nine. Although she narrowly missed an eagle putt on the 7th hole (par 5), Yoo Hae-ran returned to the lead with a birdie and finished the front nine in sole possession of first place after also birdieing the 9th hole (par 4).

Starting the back nine with a birdie on the 10th hole (par 4), Yoo Hae-ran reduced her lead by one stroke with an excellent putting display on the 12th hole (par 4), maintaining a two-stroke lead.

Yoo Hae-ran then parred her way through, entering the tee box for the 18th hole (par 4) with a three-stroke gap over the second-place group, giving her a comfortable margin. After successfully making a par putt, she smiled as domestic players showered her with a champagne celebration, offering enthusiastic congratulations.

After the tournament, Yoo Hae-ran shared her secret to victory, saying, "I told myself not to worry about anything else, just trust my shots, trust my caddie, and trust myself on the course."

Yoon Na-na also expressed admiration. "Unnie Hae-ran played an unbelievable game today," she said. "I love playing with Brooke and always want to play with her. She is a truly great player. I learned a lot from her today and throughout this week."

The tournament was also significant for Yoon Na-na. After struggling to adapt last season on the LPGA Tour, making the top 10 only once, she rebounded this season and achieved her personal best result in this tournament.

Yoon Na-na shot a 2-under-par round with four birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. She committed a double bogey on the 3rd hole (par 5) but steadily reduced her score thereafter and birdied the 18th hole to finish in sole second place.

Yoon Na-na said, "I'm a little disappointed with yesterday and today, but I think I did quite well under pressure, and this is also part of golf." She added, "I believe this will be a very big lesson in the grand scheme of things."

The performance of Korean players stood out. In addition to Yoo Hae-ran and Yoon Na-na, Kim Sei-young (33) and Kim A-rim (31) finished tied for eighth with a total of 6-under-par 282, alongside Koda and Jiyun Tittikun (Thailand), resulting in four Koreans in the top 10.

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*This content was translated by AI.