Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin Share Second at Korea’s BMW Ladies Championship
South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin finished one stroke behind Japan’s Yuri Yoshida at the BMW Ladies Championship in Haenam, where Yoshida secured her first LPGA Tour victory.
South Korean golfers Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin tied for second at the BMW Ladies Championship on Sunday, finishing one stroke behind Japan’s Yuri Yoshida in a tense final round on home soil.
Yoshida completed the LPGA Tour event at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam with a four-round score of 17-under 271. Her closing 68 was enough to secure her first career LPGA title, while Ryu and Choi ended the tournament at 16 under.
Ryu entered the final round with a four-shot advantage after reaching 17 under through three rounds. She struggled to build on that lead, however, signing for a one-over 73 after a bogey-birdie-bogey finish. Her late stumble opened the door for Yoshida and Choi as the championship tightened over the closing holes.
Yoshida applied pressure early with an eagle at the par-five second hole. She then made three consecutive birdies beginning at the fifth, moving into sole possession of the lead at 18 under. A bogey at the par-three 15th brought her back level with Ryu, setting up a close finish.
Choi also mounted a back-nine challenge. Birdies at the 11th and 13th moved her to 16 under, one shot behind the co-leaders at that stage. Ryu then bogeyed the 16th to join Choi, while Yoshida responded with a birdie at the par-five 17th to create a two-stroke cushion before the final hole.
The Japanese golfer three-putted for bogey at the 18th, leaving both South Koreans with a chance to force a playoff. Ryu pulled her drive left and found a greenside bunker with her second shot. Her long par attempt came up short. Choi reached the fairway and gave herself a birdie opportunity, but her putt caught the edge of the cup and stayed out.
The result denied Choi a maiden LPGA victory in her 125th career start. Ryu, meanwhile, was unable to convert a commanding overnight lead despite having made only one bogey over the first three rounds.
Yoshida’s victory made her the second Japanese champion in the tournament’s seven editions, following Minjee Lee’s win in 2021. The event was staged in Haenam, roughly 330 kilometers south of Seoul, giving the Korean contenders a prominent opportunity before a home crowd. Their shared runner-up finish nevertheless underlined the strength of the domestic challenge in an international field, even as the decisive moments on the final green went Yoshida’s way.