World No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo Makes Comeback to Win KLPGA Lotte Open

▲ Kim Hyo-joo celebrates her victory at the Lotte Open

Kim Hyo-joo, ranked 3rd in the world in women's golf, is heading to France with the championship trophy from the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour Lotte Open in her hands.

Kim delivered a stellar performance in the final fourth round of the 16th Lotte Open, held at the Bear's Best Cheongna Golf Club's USA-Australasia course in Incheon, carding five birdies without a single bogey.

Starting the final round in 5th place, three strokes behind the leader, Kim secured a comeback victory with a total of 15-under 273, earning a prize of 216 million won.

Kim, who visited the Korean tour during a break in the LPGA Tour schedule, has now claimed two wins on the KLPGA Tour this year, following her victory at the NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship in May.

After a grueling schedule that included flying straight to Korea following the LPGA Tour's KPMG Women's PGA Championship last week, Kim will head to France without a break for the LPGA Tour major, the Evian Championship, which begins on July 9.

Yoo Hyun-jo, Lee Se-hee, and Park Ye-ji tied for second place, one stroke behind Kim.

Kim climbed to the top of the leaderboard by making four birdies on the front nine alone, but she struggled to lower her score for a while, leading to a tight contest as she remained tied with Park Ye-ji, Lee Se-hee, and Yoo Hyun-jo.

After Park Ye-ji fell out of the co-lead group following a bogey on the 13th hole (par 4), Kim and Lee Se-hee both birdied the 15th hole (par 4) to share the lead by one stroke.

Lee Se-hee recorded a painful bogey after a three-putt on the 17th hole (par 3), while Kim made par on the same hole to take a one-stroke solo lead.

On the 18th hole (par 4), Lee Se-hee had a birdie opportunity from 3.2 meters out, but her putt narrowly missed the hole, causing her to miss the chance to force a tie.

Yoo Hyun-jo, who made a final push, saw her putt from off the green on the 18th hole miss the cup, resulting in a par and confirming Kim's victory.

(Photo courtesy of KLPGA, Yonhap News)

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