Seoul: Hwang You-min has captured her first LPGA title in Hawaii with a late birdie barrage in the final round. Hwang won the Lotte Championship at Hoakalei Country Club in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, with a four-round total of 17-under 271. She recorded birdies on five of her last six holes, including the last four straight, en route to a five-under 67 in the final round.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hwang’s fellow South Korean Kim Hyo-joo finished in second place at 16-under after carding a 68 in the final round. Despite her birdie on the final hole, Kim couldn’t catch Hwang, who secured a winner’s check of US$450,000. At 22, Hwang has been playing on the Korea LPGA Tour since 2023, earning runner-up in the Rookie of the Year award that same year and securing two domestic circuit wins.
By securing an LPGA victory as a nonmember, Hwang has the option of accepting her LPGA membership immediately or deferring it to the start of the 2026 season. Earlier this year, Hwang had planned to participate in the LPGA qualifying tournament, the Q-Series, to fulfill her aspiration of playing stateside. However, her win in Hawaii allows her to bypass this step.
Hwang, sponsored by Lotte, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in the tournament. “I was going to play at the Q-Series, but I was able to capitalize on a good opportunity given to me by Lotte. I’d like to thank my sponsor,” she stated in a televised interview. “It’s exciting to see my dream starting to take shape.”
This victory marks Hwang as the sixth South Korean player to win on the LPGA Tour in 2025, joining compatriots Kim A-lim, Ryu Hae-ran, Im Jin-hee, Lee So-mi, and Kim Hyo-joo. Hwang’s triumph also contributes to a record-tying season for the LPGA, with 26 different winners through 25 events, matching the record set in 1991, 2018, and 2022.
During the final round, Hwang made the turn at an even 36 after exchanging a birdie with a bogey, while Kim started strong with four birdies on the front nine. Kim took the lead at 16-under with a birdie on the 11th hole, but Hwang, playing two groups ahead, trailed by three shots through the 13th. Hwang then ignited a rally with four consecutive birdies starting on the par-3 15th. Kim’s performance faltered with a missed par putt on the 13th and a bunker-landing tee shot on the 17th, leading to another bogey.
Hwang, known for her long drives on the Korean tour, overshot the green on the par-5, 525-yard 18th, but expertly chipped the ball into tap-in range for an easy closing birdie. Kim had a chance to force a playoff on the 18th, but her eagle attempt fell short of the cup.
Reflecting on her performance, Hwang shared, “Honestly, I didn’t trust myself, but my caddie kept telling me I was playing really well. He said we were in good shape and we should go for it. So it helped me find the strength to go on.”