Goyang: South Korean LPGA star Kim Hyo-joo successfully defended her Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the Aramco Korea Championship held at the New Korea Country Club in Goyang, near Seoul. Kim secured a two-stroke victory over Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini with a seven-under 209 over the 54-hole event, earning a winner’s check of US$225,000.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, currently ranked world No. 8, delivered a remarkable performance with a three-under 69 in the final round, overcoming Tamburlini’s challenge, who carded a 68. This victory marks Kim’s fourth LET title. She expressed her delight, stating, “I am so pleased to have come here as the defending champion and win again. I am especially happy to have created great memories with my fans here. The whole week has felt like a birthday.”
Kim entered the final round leading at four-under, one stroke ahead of South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace. Despite an initial stumble with a bogey at the par-3 fourth hole, Kim regained her momentum with a birdie at the par-4 sixth. She continued her strong play with birdies at the par-3 11th and both par-5 holes on the back nine, the 13th and 17th.
Tamburlini, who triumphed in three LET tournaments in 2024, made a strong push with five birdies on the front nine but managed only one more birdie thereafter, securing second place. South Korean amateur Park Seo-jin finished third with a four-under 212, thanks to an impressive eight-birdie round of 65 on Sunday.
Kim’s victory this year follows her wire-to-wire win last year, during LET’s inaugural event in South Korea. This latest triumph is Kim’s third LET victory, with her first achieved at the 2014 Evian Championship, a major co-sanctioned by the LET and LPGA.
Earlier in March, Kim captured her seventh LPGA title at the Ford Championship. She admitted feeling more nervous on the front nine than usual but maintained confidence in her ability to secure back-to-back wins. “I love this golf course. And because I had fond memories from last year, I was confident I could win my second straight tournament,” Kim remarked. “The birdie on the 17th hole allowed me to relax a bit on the final hole.”
Approaching her 30th birthday in July, Kim expressed her aspirations, adding, “I’d like to start my 30s well, and hopefully, I can accomplish my goal of winning a major title.”