“Amazing late charge”: Kim Hyo-ju finishes tied for 7th after 6-under in Round 4... World No. 5 Japan’s Yamashita wins [Aramco Korea Championship Review]

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Kim Hyo-ju (31, Lotte), who was aiming for a third consecutive title, finished tied for 7th in front of domestic fans with an amazing late charge.

On the 11th at New Korea Country Club (par 72) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Kim recorded seven birdies and one bogey to shoot 6-under-par 66 in the final fourth round of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Aramco Korea Championship (total prize money: $2 million).

With a final total of 13-under-par 275, Kim finished the tournament tied for 7th, nine shots behind Miyu Yamashita (Japan, 22-under-par 266).

Kim, who had won both of the previous two tournaments held at New Korea Country Club, entered this event attempting a historic first three-peat.

After shooting 4-under on the first day, Kim recorded scores in the 70s for two consecutive days and headed into the final round sitting tied for 13th. After many fans expressed disappointment the previous day, Kim had smiled and said, “See you again tomorrow.” On this day, she delivered a dominant performance.

The accuracy of her iron shots stood out on this day. She showed fierce momentum from the early stages of the round. After birdieing the 3rd hole (par 4), Kim reduced her score once more at the 4th hole (par 3). Finishing the front nine with three strokes saved thanks to a birdie on the 9th hole (par 4), Kim also cut one stroke on the back nine, starting with a reduction on the 11th hole (par 3) and securing another birdie at the 14th hole (par 4). She further reduced her score by one each at the 16th hole (par 4) and the 17th hole (par 5).

The final hole was a source of regret. Falling into the quagmire of a bunker, she failed to get her second shot onto the green, ending her streak of bogey-free play that had continued for 17 consecutive holes.

Park Sung-hyun (33, Devis Star CC), who lost her Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour card this year, also fought hard. Park had risen to a tie for second after the second round but dropped to a tie for 13th with an even-par score the previous day. On this day, she birdied three holes without any bogeys to finish the tournament tied for 14th with a final total of 10-under-par 278.

Lee Jeong-eun6 (30, Daewang Construction) started nervously by losing three strokes on the first day, but after shooting 4-under in the second round and 1-under in the third, she cut a massive six strokes on this day to finish tied for 19th with a final score of 8-under-par 280, surging vertically from a tie for 45th.

Amateur Kim Gyu-bin (17, Hak San Girls’ High School), who ranks second in the Korea Golf Association (KGA) women’s rankings, had cut four strokes the previous day to jump into a tie for 13th with Kim Hyo-ju and Park Sung-hyun. However, she lost two strokes on this day, including a triple bogey at the 8th hole (par 5), to finish the tournament tied for 36th with a score of 5-under-par 283.

Yamashita was the one who smiled last. Yamashita, ranked fifth in the world, led from the second round onward and shone brightest at this event as well, following two victories on the LPGA Tour this season. She recorded scores in the 60s for four consecutive days, showing excellent form by birdieing seven holes on this day, and even secured an eagle at the 17th hole (par 5) to celebrate her victory.

Yamashita took home the $304,000 winner’s prize (approximately 430 million won).

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original