South Korea’s Kim Sei-young secured her first LPGA title in five years with a dominant four-shot victory at the BMW Ladies Championship on Sunday.
The 32-year-old led from start to finish at Pine Beach Golf Links, located on the southwestern tip of South Korea, and lifted the trophy after finishing ahead of Japan’s Nasa Hataoka.
It marks Kim’s 13th career win on the LPGA Tour and her first in her native South Korea. Her last title came in 2020, the year she captured her only major at the Women’s PGA Championship and was named LPGA Player of the Year.
Kim began the final round with a four-shot advantage, but a bogey on the third hole briefly opened the door to the chasing pack. She quickly regained control, however, firing six birdies including three in a row, to card a five-under-par 67 in the final round.
Hataoka mounted a late charge with four birdies in the last five holes, but by then Kim had built an unassailable lead.
American Yealimi Noh, who had started the day tied for second with Hataoka, finished in a tie for fifth alongside defending champion Hannah Green of Australia.
South Korea’s Kim A-lim and France’s Celine Boutier shared third place, finishing six strokes behind the winner.
Kim’s triumph also marked a milestone for the LPGA Tour, as she became the 27th different winner this season, setting a new record.
