'6.4m Birdie on the 4th Playoff' Hwang Yoo Min Claims Final KLPGA Title of the Season

As the sun set over Seowon Hills Country Club, two golf balls symbolizing this season’s KLPGA remained on the final green. Hwang Yoo Min, known as the 'commander,' was bidding farewell before heading to the LPGA, while Lee Dong-eun kept fans on edge by narrowly missing winning putts throughout the playoff. Hee Jeong Lim, who made it to the third playoff, held on until the end but was the first to be eliminated.
On the 18th hole (par 4) during the fourth playoff, Hwang Yoo Min sank a 6.4-meter birdie putt, turning Seowon Hills Country Club into her stage. This was her final victory on the KLPGA before moving to the United States—a true coronation before her departure.
The final event of the 2025 Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, the Daebo HausD Championship, held at Seowon Hills Country Club, was fiercely contested from the start. The leaderboard was packed, with ten players reaching double digits under par. Ultimately, Hwang Yoo Min, Lee Dong-eun, and Hee Jeong Lim advanced to the playoff. Lee Dong-eun and Hee Jeong Lim surged to the top with five-under rounds on the final day, turning the last round into a virtual mini match play. All three players made par in the first playoff, keeping the tension high. The playoff continued into the second and third extra holes.
Lee Dong-eun seized the first opportunity in the third playoff. Her iron shot landed just 1.1 meters from the hole, drawing gasps from the gallery and attention from fellow players. However, even this short birdie putt failed to drop. Hee Jeong Lim made a bogey and was the first to exit the contest.
In the fourth playoff, Hwang Yoo Min mounted her counterattack. After safely connecting her tee shot and second shot, she faced a 6.4-meter birdie putt. She checked the wind and slope one last time before confidently stroking the ball. As it rolled along the line and dropped into the center of the cup, Hwang Yoo Min completed her final chapter on the KLPGA. Having already secured her LPGA Tour card with a non-member victory at the Lotte Championship earlier this season, she added a domestic win to her record, fulfilling her last personal goal before heading overseas.
Hwang Yoo Min’s story continues the legacy of 'direct-entry stars' produced by the KLPGA in recent years. Despite her petite frame, she is known for her powerful drives, aggressive course management that earned her the nickname 'commander,' and mental toughness in clutch moments—traits that have made her a fan favorite. Since her debut in 2023, she has consistently ranked among the top in driving distance and gained popularity. At this year’s Lotte Championship in Hawaii, she shot a career-best 62 in the second round, making a bold statement on the world stage.
Just like So Yeon Ryu, Kim Hyo-joo, In Gee Chun, Jin Young Ko, and Kim A-lim—players who won as non-members and went straight to the LPGA—Hwang Yoo Min’s final putt at Seowon Hills Country Club was more than just a tournament win; it was a bridge from the KLPGA to the LPGA.
While the season’s final trophy went to Hwang Yoo Min, other stars shone throughout the year. Hyunju Yoo captured both the Player of the Year and Lowest Scoring Average titles, while Jung Min Hong claimed both the Money Leader and Co-Most Wins honors. By the numbers, this KLPGA season was defined by a clear 'two-top' rivalry.
Hyunju Yoo secured the Player of the Year trophy with 681 points, far ahead of Jung Min Hong’s 524. Although she won only once, at the KB Financial Star Championship in September, her consistency was unmatched, finishing in the top 10 nineteen times out of twenty-eight events. Her average score of 69.89 was the only sub-70 average on the KLPGA, symbolizing the era of under-par golf. After winning once and earning Rookie of the Year last season, she became only the seventh player in KLPGA history to win Player of the Year the following year.
On the other side, Jung Min Hong made her mark with her earnings and victories. She finished tied for 10th (8-under 208) in the season finale, adding 14.7 million won to her total and securing the Money Leader title with 1,341,523,334 won. With three wins this season, she also shared the Most Wins title with Lee Ye-won and Bang Shinsil. Although she conceded the Player of the Year and Scoring Average titles to Hyunju Yoo, she remained a key player at the top of the leaderboard all season, shaking up the tour’s dynamics.
Seo Gyo-rim was named Rookie of the Year. She accumulated 1,354 points, surpassing Kim Sihyun to claim her first career trophy.



jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter