Lim Jin-young Makes History in Thailand... Claims First Regular Tour Victory

Victory at the KLPGA Season Opener, Rejuran Championship

Dramatic Comeback with 7-under Final Round

Lee Yewon Takes Second, Amateur Oh Sumin Ties for 10th

Im Jinyoung won the opening event of the 2026 season on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.

On March 15, at Amata Spring Country Club (par 72, 6,609 yards) in Chonburi, Thailand, Im Jinyoung carded seven birdies without a single bogey during the fourth round of the KLPGA Tour Rejuran Championship, which had a total prize fund of 1.2 billion won. With a score of 7-under-par 65 for the day, Im finished with a total of 15-under-par 273, claiming her first career victory. Since debuting on the regular tour in 2022, she reached the top for the first time in 90 tournaments. The winner’s prize is 216 million won.

Im Jinyoung is teeing off at the 1st hole of the 4th round of the Rejuran Championship. Photo by KLPGA

Born in 2003, Im Jinyoung made her regular tour debut the year after finishing ninth in the KLPGA Tour seed selection finals in 2021. Prior to this tournament, she had not secured a victory. Her best previous result was a runner-up finish at the Deoksin EPC Championship in April last year.

Im Jinyoung started the final round tied for seventh place, four shots behind, but signaled a comeback victory by making consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2 (both par 5). She then picked up additional birdies on holes 5, 7, and 9, joining the race for the title. On the back nine, Im sealed her one-stroke victory by adding birdies on the 15th (par 5) and 17th (par 3) holes.

In an interview immediately after her win, Im said, "I wasn't very nervous because I didn't know I was leading," adding, "It feels unbelievable to be standing here; it’s like a dream." She continued, "During the off-season, I worked hard to improve my weaknesses in my shots and short game, and I’m happy to see good results from the very first tournament. My season goal is two wins. Now that I have my first, I want to continue to perform well in the remaining tournaments."

Amateur Oh Sumin is teeing off at the 1st hole of the 4th round of the Rejuran Championship. Provided by KLPGA

Last year’s joint multiple-winner Lee Yewon made a strong effort, reducing her score by three strokes, but had to settle for second place at 14-under-par 274. Lee Yewon aimed for a playoff opportunity on the final 18th hole (par 4), but her birdie putt was about 15 meters away and ended with a par. Last season’s money winner Hong Jeongmin, along with Jeon Yeseong and Kim Sihyun, finished tied for third at 12-under-par 276. Amateur Oh Sumin (Shinseong High School) played as an invited player and finished tied for 10th at 8-under-par 280.

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