Hyo-Joo Kim lived up to her billing in the Aramco Team Series – Korea as the home favorite put on a show to win by three shots in Seoul.
Leading by two shots heading into the final round, the Major winner held off Charley Hull on Sunday with a round of 68 to end the week at 10-under par.
Playing alongside Hull and eventual winner Mariajo Uribe of Colombia, Kim found more breathing room at the start of the 4 1 stage when her opponents both fired. Sunday's shootout quickly looked on the cards as Hull lit things up on the front nine making five birdies in seven holes before the turn. Kim responded with birdies on the 5th and 7th – the last of the day's shots on a superb par-3 – to take a one-shot lead.
The birdies will stop at Hull on the back nine, however, as Kim closes the door making birdies on the 14th, 16th, and 17th to the delight of his fan club, the shooting stars, watching.
Despite missing the green on the 18th, the world number 12 managed to win by three shots, his second on the LET after winning the co-sanctioned Evian tournament – his only Major victory to date – in 2014. .
Kim said: “My performances so far this season have been disappointing, so ending the tournament in Korea on a positive note feels like a turning point for me. I feel confident and have the ability to do well in upcoming tournaments such as the US Open and the Olympics.”
HULL PASSED ANOTHER RUNNER OVER
Hull took solo second place with seven grades after matching Kim's final result to record another LET runner-up.
He said: “It's a tricky course, and the greens are tough, and there aren't many places to put the pins – they're very slanted, so you have to hit them on the right sides.
“But I played very well today and I'm very happy with the round. Hoo-Jyo [Kim] ran away with it at the end, and drilled some nice birdie putts. I'm happy all week, but it's hard when you don't win and come second again.”
Uribe and South Africa's Casandra Alexander tied for third at five-under – the latter birdied the day's round to continue her fine run in the Aramco Team Series.
The morning session also saw the conclusion of the team event, as Team Kang, led by Danielle Kang, took the title with 23 points behind Team Uribe.
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF will next head to London from 3-5 July, with a strong field to be announced shortly.
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