Bang Sinsil, the Match Queen... Comeback Victory in Final Three Holes

Bang Sin-sil Claims Sixth Career Victory at Doosan Matchplay

Comeback Win Over Choi Eun-woo in 19-Hole Final

Hong Jinyoung Finishes Third, Park Gyeol Takes Fourth

Long hitter Bang Sin-sil has been crowned the match queen.

On May 17, at the Nature·Garden Course (par 72) of Ladena Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Bang Sin-sil defeated Choi Eun-woo in a playoff during the final of the Doosan Matchplay on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, which has a total prize fund of 1 billion won. This marks her sixth career victory, coming eight months after her previous win at the OK Savings Bank Utman Open in September 2025. The winner’s prize is 250 million won.

Bang Sin-sil made her KLPGA Tour debut in 2023, winning twice in her rookie year. She went on to collect three victories last year, earning her a share of the most wins title. Known as a representative long hitter on the KLPGA Tour, Bang Sin-sil celebrated her first-ever win in a match play tournament.

Bang Sinshil is taking a tee shot on the 1st hole of the Doosan Match Play final. Provided by KLPGA

In this tournament, Bang Sin-sil topped Group 4 of the round robin, defeating Kim Jisoo, Moon Jeongmin, and Kim Minsol for three straight wins. She then beat Shin Dain in the round of 16 and Seo Gyolim in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Hong Jinyoung by two holes earlier in the day.

The final against Choi Eun-woo was far from easy. Bang Sin-sil trailed by three holes through the 14th (par 4), making the title seem out of reach. However, she closed the gap by sinking a difficult 7.5-meter birdie putt on the 15th (par 4), and when Choi Eun-woo three-putted for a bogey on the 17th (par 4), Bang Sin-sil was just one hole behind going into the final hole.

On the 18th (par 5), Bang Sin-sil missed a roughly 2-meter birdie opportunity, but Choi Eun-woo also failed to convert a par putt that could have clinched the victory, forcing the match into a playoff. In the playoff on the 18th hole, Bang Sin-sil placed her third shot on the edge of the green and easily secured a par, while Choi Eun-woo, facing pressure after her fourth shot from the fringe, failed to make her par putt.

In her victory interview, Bang Sin-sil said, "Even when I was three holes down, I held onto hope that I could turn things around. Letting go and focusing on the game led to this win." She added, "I practiced putting a lot during off-season training, and I think the results are showing. I'm very happy to claim my first win of the season and will focus on achieving multiple wins for the rest of the season."

Choi Eun-woo, who was aiming for her third career win two years after the Nexen·Saintnine Masters in April 2024, had to settle for the runner-up spot after failing to overcome the final hurdle. In the third-place match, Hong Jinyoung defeated Park Gyeol by one hole.

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