The two leading candidates for LPGA Rookie of the Year will face off in the same group for the first time at the HSBC Women's World Championship final round.
Hwang Yu-min of South Korea and Mimi Rhodes of England were paired together for Sunday's final round at Sentosa Golf Club's Tanjong Course in Singapore (par 72).
Hwang was the only rookie to compete in the 2026 season opener, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, qualifying as last year's Lotte Championship winner. She finished tied for fifth—the first top-10 finish among this year's rookies—and currently stands alone in the rookie points standings.
The Honda LPGA Thailand, the season's second event, featured no rookie participants. The HSBC Women's World Championship marks the first tournament with multiple rookies: Hwang competing as defending champion and Rhodes as an invitational player.
The two are expected to battle for Rookie of the Year honors throughout the season. While Helene Brim of Germany topped the Q-Series Final last fall, Rhodes is considered the stronger player. Rhodes ranked second on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit last year, while Brim finished ninth.
Rhodes opened her season with a tied-sixth finish alongside Yun I-na at the LET's PIF Saudi Ladies International, matching Hwang's tied-fifth result at the LPGA opener.
After three rounds, Rhodes holds a one-stroke advantage. She sits tied for 12th at 6-under-par 210 after dropping one shot Saturday. Hwang climbed to solo 15th at 5-under 211 after gaining one stroke. Lindy Duncan of the United States, also tied for 12th, completes their group.
The final pairing features co-leaders Minjee Lee and Hannah Green of Australia (11-under 205) alongside Angel Yin of the United States (tied third, 10-under 206).
South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran, tied for third, will play in the penultimate group with Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand (solo fifth, 9-under 207) and Linn Grant of Sweden (tied sixth, 8-under 208).