Jeon In-ji, 32, and Kim Sei-young, 33, who had challenged for the title at the US Women's Open, the second major of the LPGA season, could not overcome world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States.
In the final round of the 81st US Women's Open (total purse $12.5 million), held at Riviera Country Club (par 71) in Pacific Palisades, California, Jeon shot a 1-under 70 on Sunday Korea time, with four birdies and three bogeys. Posting a final total of 6-under 278, Jeon finished fourth, two strokes behind winner Korda (8-under 276). Jeon, who won this tournament in 2015, had been seeking her first title in 11 years but came up short.
Kim started in the championship group as co-leader with Korda, raising hopes of a victory. She recorded four birdies but committed five bogeys for a 1-over 72, finishing fifth at a final total of 5-under 279.
Jeon and Kim battled with Korda through the middle of the round that day. Jeon birdied the 11th hole (par 5) to surge to a two-stroke lead at one point. But she made consecutive bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes (both par 4) and also recorded a bogey on the 18th hole (par 4). Kim sank a 12-meter birdie putt on the 12th hole (par 4) to tie Korda, but then made consecutive bogeys on the next two holes, falling out of contention.
Korda captured the US Women's Open after winning the Chevron Championship, the season's first major, in April. The winner's prize was $2.5 million (about 3.88 billion won). Korda had previously won three majors, but this was her first US Women's Open title. If she wins the AIG Women's Open or the Evian Championship, she will complete a "career Grand Slam."
"I struggled a lot because I didn't perform well in previous US Women's Opens," Korda said. "My condition wasn't good on the back nine today either, but I talked with my caddie about just thinking 'one shot at a time' and focused on the moment." Korda has now won four times on the LPGA Tour this season, including a season-opening victory, for 19 career tour titles.
