Veteran Ilhee Lee Finishes Runner-Up by One Stroke... Secures Spot in Next Tournament

3-Under in Final Round of ShopRite Classic
Finishes Runner-Up, One Stroke Behind Kupcho
Im Jinhee 5th, Korda 15th, Ko Jinyoung 58th

Veteran Ilhee Lee narrowly missed out on a championship opportunity that came after 12 years.

On June 8 (local time), at the Seaview Bay Course (par 71, 6,263 yards) in Galloway, New Jersey, USA, Ilhee Lee added a 3-under-par in the final third round of the LPGA Tour ShopRite Classic (total prize money of $1.75 million), finishing as runner-up by a one-stroke margin with a total of 14-under-par 199. Lee was aiming for her first victory in 12 years since winning the 2013 Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic, but fell just short. However, by finishing in the top 10, she secured eligibility to compete in the next tournament.

Ilhee Lee is teeing off at the 11th hole of the final 3rd round of the ShopRite Classic. Photo by Callaway (USA)=AFP Yonhap News

The 36-year-old Lee has not held a tour card since 2018 and has continued her career by utilizing the one or two annual entry opportunities granted to past tournament winners. This was her second appearance this year, following her participation in the U.S. Women's Open after qualifying.

Lee started the final round with a one-stroke lead and recorded six birdies and three bogeys. She had a shaky start with bogeys on holes 1, 3, and 7, but immediately recovered by making three consecutive birdies on holes 9 through 11. She added two more birdies on holes 14 and 17, closing in on Jennifer Kupcho (USA). On the final 18th hole (par 5), her eagle putt narrowly missed to the left, preventing her from tying for the lead.

Kupcho shot a 5-under-par to claim a come-from-behind victory with a total of 15-under-par 198. This marked her fourth career win and her first in three years since the two-player team match at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in July 2022. The winner's prize was $262,500 (approximately 356 million KRW).

Among Korean players, Sei Young Kim surged with a 6-under-par to finish third (12-under-par 201). Notably, she made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole (par 3, 76 yards), the shortest hole on the LPGA Tour. Jin Hee Im tied for fifth (10-under-par 203), and Geum Kang Park tied for 11th (9-under-par 204). World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA) finished tied for 15th (8-under-par 205), while Jin Young Ko finished tied for 58th (1-under-par 212).

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