Joo Su-bin, who had been chasing her first career victory, finished tied for fourth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic (total purse: $2 million) after a disappointing final round.
In the final round of the LPGA Tour event held Sunday (Korea time) at the Bay Course (par 71) of Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey, Joo carded a 2-over 73 with three birdies, one double bogey and three bogeys. Finishing at a total of 6-under 207, Joo saw her first LPGA Tour victory slip away as Celine Boutier of France surged with a 5-under round on the final day to overtake her at 9-under.
Although she missed out on the title, Joo posted her best result since making her LPGA Tour debut in 2023. The finish was nonetheless tinged with regret, as she had begun the final round with a four-stroke solo lead. "It was my first time starting the final day of a tournament in the lead, and it was a lot of fun," Joo said after the round. "I think I gave my best and prepared well."
The trophy went to Boutier, who claimed her seventh career LPGA Tour title — her first win in two years and eight months since the Maybank Championship in October 2023. The winner's check was $300,000 (approximately 450 million won). It was also her second victory at this event, following her win in 2021. "I felt my game has been getting better over the past few weeks," Boutier said. "I wasn't really expecting to win, so it feels great to be back in the winner's circle."
Lee So-mi shot a 2-under on the final day to finish at 6-under 207, tied for fourth alongside Joo, Polly Mack of Germany and Chisato Iwai of Japan. Jeon Ji-won finished eighth at 5-under, marking her first top-10 finish of the season.
