To say Saturday was a life-changing moment for Youmin Hwang may be an understatement.
The 22-year-old from South Korea birdied five of her final six holes to win the LPGA’s Lotte Championship at Hoakalei Country Club in Hawaii on Saturday. Hwang, who was playing on a sponsor exemption as a member of the KLPGA, can now take up immediate LPGA membership or defer her card until the start of the 2026 season.
Hwang is also the 26th different winner on the LPGA in 25 events this season.
“Before I joined this Lotte Championship, I didn’t think I can be the winner this year,” Hwang said through a translator. “But after playing second round I thought, I might can be the winner if I focus on my play, my own play.
“This is my dream. Finally I achieved my dream here at the Lotte Championship, and I also very much look forward to my future as well in the LPGA.”
Hwang tied the tournament 18-hole scoring record with a 62 in the second round on Thursday, vaulting her into contention. She fell back with a 73 on Friday but then rattled off birdies on Nos. 13 and then 15-18 to beat countrywoman and 2022 Lotte champion Hyo Joo Kim by one shot, with Hwang finishing at 17 under for the tournament. She also became the sixth South Korean to win on the LPGA in 2025.
Hwang has played in four LPGA events this season and also made the cut in three majors: the U.S. Women’s Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. She’s a two-time winner on the KLPGA, where she has been a member since 2022.
And in her third start at the Lotte, she’s now an LPGA winner.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda tied for fourth, another top-10 finish in a year where she remains in search of her first win after a seven-victory season in 2024.
“My game plan, it’s pretty simple. It’s always to give everything 100 percent and concentrate in and dial in it,” Korda said. “If I’m doing what I can, then that’s kind of like the most that I can do.
“But it was nice to be in contention. The end goal always without saying for everyone in this field is to lift that trophy on Sunday. Falling a little bit short definitely motivated. Have some work to do and have a couple more events to end off the season.”
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