Yoo So-yeon '10 Domestic Wins'... "This Time, the National Title~" (Comprehensive)

Korean Women's Open Final Day 1-Stroke Victory "Sweeping 5 National Titles", Kim Hyo-joo 2nd Place

Yoo So-yeon is holding the trophy and posing for a commemorative photo immediately after winning the Korea Women's Open. Photo by Korea Women's Open

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "A bunker save on the final 18th hole."

It was a brilliant finish by world No. 18 So-yeon Ryu (30, Mediheal). On the 21st, at the Bears Best Cheongna Golf Club in Incheon (par 72, 6,929 yards), she recorded an even-par round on the final day of the KLPGA Tour Kia Motors Korea Women's Open (total prize money 1 billion KRW) to secure a one-stroke victory (12-under 276). This marked her 10th KLPGA Tour win in 4 years and 10 months since the 2015 High1 Resort Women's Open, earning a winner's prize of 250 million KRW.

So-yeon Ryu started the day one stroke ahead and displayed ironclad defense, recording only one birdie and one bogey. She exchanged a birdie on the 5th hole (par 5) for a bogey on the 9th hole (par 4), then maintained par on all nine holes in the back nine. The highlight was the 'winning par' on the 18th hole (par 4), where she was in fierce competition with Hyo-joo Kim (25, Lotte). Although her second shot landed in a greenside bunker, she finished with a miraculous short game, placing the ball close to the hole.

It is interesting that So-yeon Ryu has claimed five national titles across different countries. She consecutively won the 2009 China Women's Open, 2011 US Women's Open, 2014 Canadian Women's Open, and 2018 Japan Women's Open. This victory was significant as it marked her first win in this tournament in 12 years. She had the painful experience of finishing runner-up in 2008 after a playoff extending to the third extra hole against Ji-ae Shin (32). She added, "I tried to minimize mistakes as much as possible."

Hyo-joo Kim was satisfied with second place (11-under 277). She recently won the Lotte Cantata Open on the 7th, marking her 11th career win after 3 years and 6 months since the 2016 China Women's Open. Adding the 100 million KRW runner-up prize from this tournament, she rose to first place in the prize money rankings (324 million KRW), making another headline. Domestic No. 1 Hye-jin Choi (21, Lotte) secured third place (9-under 279), maintaining the pride of the domestic players. World No. 1 Jin-young Ko (25) finished sixth (6-under 282).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.