Kim Seyoung Falls in Playoff as Green Claims Eighth Career Victory

World No. 10 Kim Seyoung conceded a come-from-behind victory.

On April 19 (local time), at El Caballero Country Club (par 72, 6,679 yards) in Los Angeles, California, Kim Seyoung carded a 2-under-par 70 in the final round of the JM Eagle LA Championship on the LPGA Tour, with one eagle, three birdies, and three bogeys. After finishing tied at 17-under-par 271 with Lim Jinhui and Hannah Green (Australia), she made par on the first playoff hole at the 18th (par 4). The championship trophy went to Green, who secured a birdie.

The tournament's total prize fund was initially $3.75 million, but the sponsor announced a $1 million increase the previous day, bringing the total to $4.75 million (approximately 7 billion won). This is the highest prize money on the LPGA Tour, except for the five major championships and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. The winner’s share also jumped from $562,500 to $712,500 (about 1.05 billion won).

Se-young Kim embraces winner Hanna Green after finishing as runner-up following a playoff at the JM Eagle LA Championship. Los Angeles=AFP Yonhap News Agency Photo by AFP

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Kim Seyoung started the day with a two-shot lead and reduced her score by one with two birdies and one bogey on the front nine. At the par-5 11th hole on the back nine, her third shot landed on a downhill slope behind the pin and rolled into the hole for an eagle. At the par-4 12th, her second shot found the bunker, resulting in a bogey, and at the par-3 17th, her tee shot also went into the bunker, costing her another stroke.

Heading into the final 18th hole (par 4), Kim Seyoung, Hannah Green (Australia), and Lim Jinhui were all at the top of the leaderboard. Lim Jinhui finished first and checked her shots on the practice range. Kim Seyoung and Green both made par at the 18th, sending all three into a playoff. In the first playoff round at the 18th, Kim Seyoung and Lim Jinhui made par, but Green secured a winning birdie for her eighth career victory.

For Korea, Lim Jinhui shot a 5-under-par 67 to rise to a tie for second place. Yoon Yina, in her second year on the LPGA Tour, improved by three strokes to finish fourth (16-under-par 272). Yoo Haeran and Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) tied for fifth (14-under-par 274), while Chichi Iwai and Minami Katsu (both from Japan) finished tied for seventh (12-under-par 276).

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