Taiwan's Shih Wei-ling Surprises with Victory "First Win in 7 Years Since Debut"... Kim Se-young Ties for 7th Place

Taiwanese Player Wins Third Title at Pure Silk Championship, Jutanugarn 2nd, Korda 3rd, Kemp 4th

Shu Wei-ling is cheering immediately after securing victory on the final day of the Pure Silk Championship. Williamsburg, Virginia, USA = Getty Images / MultiBits Photo by MultiBits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a surprise victory for Shih Wei-ling (Taiwan).

On the 24th (Korean time), at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA (par 71, 6,445 yards), Shih Wei-ling finished the final day of the LPGA Tour Pure Silk Championship (total prize money $1.3 million) with a 3-under-par round, securing a 2-stroke victory (13-under-par 271). Making her first career win seven years after debuting on the LPGA Tour in 2015, she earned $195,000 (about 220 million KRW). She is the third Taiwanese player to win after Cheng Ya-ni and Teresa Lu.

Shih Wei-ling recorded one eagle, four birdies, and three bogeys. She struggled to reduce her score, exchanging three birdies for three bogeys over 14 holes. However, an eagle with a ‘2-on 2-putt’ on the 15th hole (par 5) and a birdie on the 16th hole (par 4) widened the gap between her and her competitors. She finished the remaining two holes with pars, savoring the joy of victory. Her power came from an average driving distance of 283 yards and ‘stingy putting’ with only 27 putts in the round.

Shih Wei-ling is currently ranked 108th in the world. She started playing golf at age 7, played on the Symetra Tour (the second-tier tour) in 2014, and joined the main tour the following year. She has participated in 145 tournaments so far, with her best result being runner-up at the 2018 Pure Silk Bahamas Classic. This is the first win by a Taiwanese player in seven years and six months since Teresa Lu won the Mizuno Classic in November 2013. She tearfully said, "I thought I had a chance to win," and added, "The support from my family in Taiwan was a great strength."

Taiwan had dominated the LPGA Tour with Cheng Ya-ni, who held the world No. 1 ranking until 2012, but has since been distant from the top ranks. Moriya Jutanugarn (Thailand), who was aiming for ‘sister back-to-back wins,’ settled for second place (11-under-par 273). Her ‘disaster’ began on the 15th hole, where her tee shot landed in a bunker. Her second shot hit the bunker lip and went back in, resulting in a ‘4-on 3-putt’ and a double bogey.

‘Diamond Resorts Tournament Champion’ Jessica Korda (USA) finished third (10-under-par 274), and Sarah Kemp (Australia) performed well in fourth place (9-under-par 275). From Korea, Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal) shot 2-under-par to rise to a tie for 7th place (7-under-par 277). Kang Hye-ji (31) tied for 16th (3-under-par 281), Choi Na-yeon (34, Daebang Construction) tied for 31st (1-under-par 283), and Jeon Ji-won (24, KB Financial Group) tied for 39th (even par 284).

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