Japan’s Yuri Yoshida overturned a four-shot deficit to win the BMW Ladies Championship, securing her first LPGA Tour title with a one-stroke victory in South Korea.
Yuri Yoshida made a spectacular early charge and survived a tense finish to claim her maiden LPGA Tour victory at Pine Beach Golf Links on Sunday, October 25.
The 26-year-old closed with a four-under-par 68 to finish at 17-under 271, one shot ahead of South Korea’s Haeran Ryu and Hye-Jin Choi. Rounds of 66, 69, 68, and 68 delivered the breakthrough and a US$352,500 winner’s cheque.
An Eagle Sparks The Chase
Starting the final round four strokes behind overnight leader Ryu, Yoshida needed to make an impression quickly.
An eagle at the par-five second provided the perfect launch. Three consecutive birdies later in the outward nine helped her reach the turn in five-under 31, transforming her position in the tournament and putting the title firmly within reach.
It was the decisive burst of a final round that demanded both attacking golf and composure. In challenging, rain-affected conditions, Yoshida established a narrow advantage and held it through the closing stretch.
A Nervous Finish
There was still a final twist.
Yoshida bogeyed the 18th, leaving an anxious conclusion to her pursuit of a first title. However, Ryu also dropped a shot at the last, allowing the Japanese player to secure victory without a playoff.
Ryu’s closing 73 left her tied for second at 16 under alongside Choi, who finished with a 69. Hyo Joo Kim and Minsol Kim shared fourth at 15 under, two strokes behind Yoshida.
The result underlined how quickly a tournament can change on Sunday. Ryu began with the advantage, but Yoshida’s front-nine scoring gave the final round a different shape—and ultimately determined who lifted the trophy.
No Kiwis In The Field
There was no New Zealand representation at this year’s BMW Ladies Championship. Lydia Ko was absent from the complete official field, with no other Kiwi entrants listed.
For New Zealand golf followers, the spotlight therefore fell on a breakthrough performance from Yoshida, whose fast start and resilience over the closing holes delivered a memorable first LPGA victory.
