Ko Jin-young held off the challenge of world No.2 Park Sung-hyun and double major champion Chun In-gee to capture the LPGA's KEB Hana Bank Championship title and earn herself a golden ticket to the lucrative US women's tour.
Two shots clear overnight, Ko shot a four-under-par 68 on Sunday to finish on a combined 19-under, two strokes ahead of Park and three clear of Chun, her two Korean playing partners in a dream final grouping for tournament organisers.
Ko currently plays on the domestic Korean Tour but the quality of her play over four days at SKY72 Golf and Resort in Incheon, west of Seoul, suggests the 22-year-old will have no trouble adapting to life on the elite US LPGA Tour if she chooses to accept the place her victory brings.
"This victory means so much to me," Ko told reporters.
"I was playing against exceptional players that rank much higher than me on the global ranking.
"So I was able to watch and learn a lot today as well."
Minjee Lee finished as the best-placed Australian at 12-under after a closing round of 72 to be in a share for sixth.
Share
