CHONBURI, Thailand — The Amata Spring Country Club (par 72), host of the KLPGA Tour season opener Rejuran Championship (total purse 1.2 billion won), features one hole that captures everyone's attention. The 17th hole (par 3) has a green floating on a lake. With no bridge connecting it, players must take a boat to the island green after hitting their tee shots from the opposite shore. At this scenic signature hole, new history was made. Lim Jin-young (23, Daebang E&C) sank a birdie putt on this hole to edge out same-age powerhouse Lee Ye-won (Mediheal) by one stroke, claiming her first career victory in her fifth year on tour.
In the final round on March 15, Lim carded a bogey-free 7-under 65 with seven birdies. Finishing at 15-under 273, Lim overtook runner-up Lee Ye-won by one stroke to claim the first title of the 2026 season. The winner's purse was 216 million won.
Starting the final round tied for seventh, four strokes behind the leader, Lim mounted a fierce charge by cutting five strokes on the front nine alone. After sharing the lead with Lee Ye-won through the middle of the round, Lim sank a birdie putt of just over 3 meters on the 17th hole to take the solo lead. The hole is known for producing double bogeys due to unpredictable wind direction and strength. Yet Lim gained three strokes on this hole over four days — birdies in rounds one, two, and four, with a par in round three.
Since joining the regular tour in 2022, Lim had competed in 90 events with her best finish being runner-up at the Duksin EPC Championship in April last year. By breaking through at the season opener, she announced her arrival as a rising star. Lee Ye-won, who had won three titles in each of the past three consecutive years, will have to wait for another opportunity to reach her 10th career victory.
Last year's money list winner Hong Jung-min finished tied for third at 12-under alongside second-year player Kim Si-hyun, while amateur Oh Su-min made her presence felt with a tied-10th finish at 8-under. In the battle between rookie of the year candidates, Kim Min-sol claimed a "decision victory" over Yang Hyo-jin, finishing tied for 20th at 6-under compared to Yang's tied-43rd at 2-under.
