Yuri Yoshida secured her maiden LPGA Tour victory on Sunday, holding off a late charge from Haeran Ryu and Hye-Jin Choi in a dramatic finish at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, South Korea. The 26-year-old Japanese golfer finished with a four-round total of 17-under 271, edging out Ryu, who settled for 16-under 272, in a contest that hinged on the final two holes. The win marks a significant milestone for Yoshida, who has long been a contender but had yet to break through for a top-tier tour title.
Japanese star survives final-hole drama to edge out Haeran Ryu and Hye-Jin Choi at Pine Beach.
Yoshida’s path to victory was defined by a explosive start to the final round, where she erased a four-stroke deficit with an eagle at the par-5 second hole and three consecutive birdies to reach 5-under 31 at the turn. Although she conceded bogeys at the 15th and 18th, a crucial birdie at the 17th provided the necessary buffer. Ryu, who entered Sunday leading by four strokes, struggled to replicate her earlier form, shooting a 73 and missing a critical putt at the par-4 16th that handed back the one-shot lead to Yoshida.
The finale was a tense duel, with both players birdieing the 17th to keep the pressure on. However, Ryu’s costly miss on the final hole proved decisive; despite Yoshida also bogeying the 18th, Ryu’s error allowed the Japanese star to clinch the win by one stroke. This victory cements Yoshida’s status as a rising force on the LPGA Tour, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes international events.
Source: Yahoo Sports
