The LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship was won by Hyo Joo Kim, who held off Hinako Shibuno in the final round on Saturday at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii.
Among the many LPGA stars from South Korea, the 26-year-old Kim took home $300,000 of the total $2 million purse with her fifth victory on the LPGA tour.
Kim began her career in 2012 on the LPGA of Korea Tour eventually winning 14 titles; and is one of 10 players who have played in all 10 LOTTEK Championships since 2012.
“I have been playing in the Lotte Championship since the inaugural championship and then because LOTTE is my personal sponsor I always wanted to win and do well,” said the 26-year-old Kim.
At 19, she would win her only major so far at the 2014 Evian Championship, setting a record for lowest first-round score at a major with a 61. Kim then accepted membership on the LPGA Tour in 2015.
“There were a lot of expectations, but also a lot of support coming from friends and family,” said Kim. “There have been ups and downs and I think I am at the up part right now and I feel very proud, a little confident about the future and the outlook looks bright for me.”
Kim shot low rounds of 67 each for the first two days to take the lead, and held off the field in the strong Hawaii winds with final rounds of 72 and 71. She began the final round with a three stroke lead at -10 and the one under round, 277 total strokes, was enough for the victory.
Kim birdied two par fives, #5 and #18, and the par four #8 hole; and bogeyed the par three #9 and par four #17 hole.
The final hole #18, par five, became dramatic as Kim was furthest from the green after her approach shot ended over 30 yards short and left of the green.
Hinako Shibuno of Japan was one stroke behind at -9, and had reached the right green-side bunker. The battle of two major winners was nearing conclusion.
Kim came up with a great pitch on her third shot, getting within less than two feet away for a birdie, forcing Shibuno to have to make her bunker shot to tie. Shibuno left the bunker shot short and would make par to finish second at 9 under.
The 23-year-old displayed excellent sportsmanship as she clapped and was genuinely appreciative of the precise pitch shot by Kim.
Known as “Smiling Cinderella” on the Japanese LPGA Tour, Shibuno won a major at the 2019 AIG Women’s Open Championship in her very first LPGA event.
Following the tournament, Shibuno explained that she “had fun playing” alongside Kim, and the difference on the day was that Kim made more putts.
In the final group was California native Brianna Do, who also began the day at -7 after opening rounds of 72, 70, and 67.
However, Do shot a 77 with five bogeys in the final round to finish tied for 12th; which is excellent for the 510th Rolex ranked player.
Do has not had full status on the LPGA for several years, and qualified for the Lotte early in the week. She needed to finish in the top ten for a spot in next week’s tournament in her hometown of Los Angeles at the DIO Implant LA Open.
“I keep telling myself (that) good golf takes care of everything,” said Do after the third round. “I’ve been working to retool my swing a little bit to make it more reliable under pressure.”
The 32-year-old turned professional in 2013, following college golf at UCLA where she received Second Team All-Pac 10 honors in 2010. In her youth, she was selected to the 2007 Junior Solheim Cup Team and was a two-time AJGA All-American.
“I had a few good weeks on the Epson tour, and the goal was to (get to) Monday this week, I made the Monday (qualifier), and then the goal was to make a check, to get int the reshuffle and I did that,” added Do. “So now it’s trying to play my way into LA next week. So just reevaluating goals as I go along.”
Finishing third is Tye-Jin Choi (S. Korea), followed by Ashleigh Buhai of S. Africa, and Some Lee (S. Korea) ended in fifth.
A four-way tie for sixth included recent champion at the JTBC classic, Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, Americans Ryann O'Toole and Gerina Mendoza, and Na Ran An of Korea.
The LPGA moves to Los Angeles this week at Wilshire Country Club for the DIO Implant LA Open, with Brooke Henderson as the defending champion.
