Hyo Joo Kim thrilled home fans with a composed final round performance to successfully defend her title at the Aramco Korea Championship — her second win of the 2025 season.
Playing at New Korea Country Club, Kim shot a three-under-par 69 to finish at seven-under for the tournament, two strokes clear of Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini. The win marks Kim’s 25th career title, her third on the Ladies European Tour (LET), and her second of the year following a victory at the Ford Championship on the LPGA Tour.
“As last year’s winner, everyone kept telling me I had to win again,” Kim said. “That stayed with me all week. I’m so grateful for the support and really enjoyed today. I’ll be celebrating with my family tonight.”
A Home Victory Under Pressure
Kim entered the final round with a one-shot lead but faced a serious challenge from Tamburlini, who surged into contention with five birdies on the front nine. Kim stumbled with a bogey on the 4th, while Tamburlini briefly grabbed the outright lead.
The turning point came on the back nine. Tamburlini dropped a shot at the 12th just as Kim birdied the 11th, swinging momentum back to the defending champion. Kim then added birdies at the 13th and 17th to seal the win.
“I was nervous, and my caddie even asked me if I was okay,” Kim admitted. “But I knew I had to raise my game, especially on the back nine. The 17th was a key moment that helped secure the victory.”
Tamburlini, who finished with a four-under 68, took plenty of positives from her runner-up showing.
“This feels really good,” she said. “After missing the cut at The Chevron Championship, I was pretty down. But good talks with my team helped rebuild my confidence. Today was a big boost.”
Rising Talent and Strong Finishes
Seojin Park, an amateur and national team player from South Korea, delivered the round of the week with a sizzling seven-under 65 to finish solo third at four-under par.
Four players shared fourth place at three-under: Perrine Delacour (France), Lee-Anne Pace (South Africa), Dorthea Forbrigd (Norway), and Emma Spitz (Austria).
Germany’s Aline Krauter, Chiara Noja, and Polly Mack, along with Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, tied for eighth at one-under.
Order of Merit Update
Tamburlini’s strong finish lifts her to fifth in the 2025 LET Order of Merit with 626.33 points. England’s Mimi Rhodes remains at the top with 1,046.88 points after finishing tied for 40th in Seoul.
What’s Next?
The Ladies European Tour heads to the Netherlands for the Dutch Ladies Open, kicking off the Tour’s European swing.
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