SOUTH KOREA’S SEI Young Kim captured her first major title on Sunday, winning the Women’s PGA Championship with a record-shattering seven-under par 63, the lowest final round in tournament history.
The 27-year-old from Seoul became the ninth first-time major winner from the past 10 women’s golf majors with a bogey-free finish at Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
“It means a lot,” Kim said. “I feel so emotional. It’s a dream come true. I’m waiting for a while to reach my biggest goal.
“I’m very happy with that. Feel like I overcome myself. Very happy with first major win.”
Seventh-ranked Kim finished the 72 holes on a tournament-record 14-under 266 to beat compatriot Park In-bee by five strokes with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sharing third on 273 and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist fifth on 276.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire shot a final round of 74 to finish 12 over par and tie for 65th place.
“Sei Young was just really untouchable,” Park said. “She played really, really good golf today. I’d like to congratulate her. She had a great day. That’s how a champion plays a final round, so it was good to see that.”
Kim’s closing 63 matched the event’s all-time 18-hole record, shared by Americans Patty Sheehan in 1984 and Meg Mallon in 1999 and South Korean Kelly Shon in 2017.
Kim had a chance at a 62 but missed a 15-foot birdie putt at the final hole, instead settling for the low last-round in Women’s PGA history, breaking the record 64 set last year and this year by Hataoka.
“This golf course is really challenging,” Kim said. “I tried to keep the focus on my job. It was really tough.
Sometimes I’m shaking my head and my legs were shaking but I was able to keep my focus and I was able to reach my big goal so I’m very happy about that.”
Kim beat the 72-hole tournament record low of 267 set by American Betsy King in 1992 at Bethesda (Maryland) Country Club.
It was the 11th LPGA triumph for Kim, her first since last November’s Tour Championship.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Ref should have wore a red jersey he was cualas 16th man
@Moss Cotter: free in last min of normal time that resulted in Cuala goal looked horrid dodge
Entertaining but ref was very generous to Cuala
The free at the e d of normal time was a terrible decision should have been a free out at least , gaa refs can decide games more than in other games with dubious decisions and they are not answerable to nobody .
Some game
Cuala 1.12 from frees na piarsaig 0.4 from frees tells all abou the ref.
@Tony Mcgrath: Tells you more about na Piarsaig.
@Thomas McGilly: It really doesn’t Thomas. Ref performance was horrendous. Some the frees he gave to Cuala were ludicrous. Na Piarsaigh should have been out of sight.
@Colm O’Sullivan: Watched the game back today. Na Piarsaig were very cynical. Some soft frees to Cuala but to say that Cuala got 15 points from the ref is myopic to.say the very least. He wasn’t as bad as he’s being painted out.
Great game in the second half and extra time. Serious intensity to the game. Looking forward to the replay
What a game served up by both sides, thought that Ronan Lynch was completely under utilised by Na Piarsaigh, they were under serious pressure in their half back line and midfield. Lynch has played some of his best hurling in half back line the last few years not up at corner forward.
Any word when replay is? Can’t wait
Didn’t keep the referee quiet though… could backfire on Cuala in the replay
Will two boys back for the replay
@Aidan: I’d expect so, they’ve served their one match suspension
The ref saved Cuala twice.
They kept King Con quite anyway..
@Denis Hayes: He isn’t a hurler, he is an athlete, he is as likely to score a goal as a Point
@El Johno: of course he’s a hurler and one of the best, why not? Because he’s a Dub?
@Denis Hayes: Mike Casey did an outstanding job , removed his influence from the game completely.
@Michelle Dermody: Mike Casey is a class act, and probably the best full back Con has come up against todate. A young fit skilfull guy who stuck like glue to him.
Can’t wait for the round 2.
@Michelle Dermody: in fairness Con was a marked man
@Ray Farrell: Both Mike Casey and his brother Peter are a joy to watch, whether in Na Piarsaigh or Limerick colours. Honestly think Mike is the greatest Limerick defender I’ve seen for many years, not since a young Mark Foley was knocking around anyway.
Peter also has the potential to be the best corner forward the county has had since Eamon Cregan.
Fintin your headline score is incorrect
Ref a joke
I am following hurling years and that ref was a joke