[Anchor]
Kim Hyo-joo, the world number 3 golfer competing on the U.S. LPGA Tour, has secured a come-from-behind victory at the domestic Lotte Open. By winning both of the two tournaments she has played in Korea this year, she has once again demonstrated her world-class prowess.
Reporter Yu Byeongmin has the story.
[Reporter]
Entering the final round in 5th place, trailing leader Park Ye-ji by 3 strokes, Kim Hyo-joo showed off a sharp sense for her shots from the very beginning.
She fiercely pursued the lead with three consecutive birdies from the 2nd to the 4th hole, with the par-4 4th hole being the highlight.
Her second shot from 170 meters out landed at the edge of the green, but her 16.6-meter birdie putt rolled along the slope and into the hole, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Riding the momentum, Kim picked up another stroke on the 6th hole to move into 2nd place, just 1 stroke behind the leader. As Park Ye-ji, who had been leading, faltered and lost 2 strokes, Kim hit a precise iron shot on the 15th hole to secure a birdie, tying for the lead with Lee Se-hee, who was in the same group.
After Lee Se-hee lost a stroke on the 17th hole, Kim took the sole lead and finished the round at 15-under par. She secured the victory when Yoo Hyun-jo, who was trailing by 1 stroke, missed her birdie putt on the 18th hole.
With this win, Kim has topped the leaderboard in both domestic tournaments she has entered since May, marking her 15th career KLPGA victory. Including her 2 wins on the U.S. stage, she has now collected 4 wins this season.
[Kim Hyo-joo/9-time LPGA winner: I feel proud and confident that I was able to show my domestic fans an even better performance than last time. I think I will be able to head to the Evian Championship with good memories.]
Without a moment to rest, Kim will depart for France to compete in the LPGA Tour major tournament, the Evian Championship, next week.
(Video Editing: Park Jeong-sam)
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