(LEAD) Lee Mi-hyang captures 3rd career LPGA title in China
2026.03.08 18:35
(LEAD) Lee Mi-hyang captures 3rd career LPGA title in China
(ATTN: ADDS details from para 6)
SEOUL, March 8 (Yonhap) -- Lee Mi-hyang has claimed her third career LPGA title in China, ending a long winless drought in the process.
Lee won the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in Hainan Island, China, on Sunday by shooting an 11-under 277. The 32-year-old South Korean held off Zhang Weiwei of China by one stroke and earned US$390,000 in prize money.
Lee struggled to a final round of one-over 73. She had two double bogeys, two bogeys and two birdies on the chaotic front nine, but recovered with three birdies over the back nine, including a title-clinching birdie at the par-5 18th.
This was Lee's first victory since the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in July 2017.
It was the fourth tournament of the 2026 LPGA season and Lee is the first South Korean winner of the year.
The four LPGA tournaments so far have all produced different champions.
Lee started the final round with a three-shot lead and began Sunday with a birdie on the opening hole.
Struggling with her shot in windy conditions, however, Lee bogeyed the second hole and then committed a double bogey at the par-4 fifth to fall to 10-under.
A bad chip shot led to a bogey at the par-3 seventh, and Lee fell into a tie for first with Zhang.
Lee regained the sole possession of the lead with a birdie at the par-5 eighth, but her second double bogey of the round at the ninth hole dropped her out of first place.
The topsy-turvy final round saw four players tied for first at one point.
Zhang birdied the 14th and 16th holes to grab the lead at 11-under, but she finished at 10-under after a bogey at the 17th.
Lee was tied with Zhang with two holes to play. After saving par at the 17th, Lee set up an easy birdie on the finishing hole with an excellent wedge shot.
Two other South Koreans, Kim A-lim and Choi Hye-jin, tied for fifth place at seven-under.
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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