Lee Da-yeon overcomes adversity for 10th career win at KLPGA Championship

Lee Da-yeon demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to clinch her 10th career victory at the KLPGA Aurora World Championship, overcoming a significant deficit and physical discomfort. The 29-year-old golfer carded a final-round 3-under-par 71 to finish at 12-under-par 276, edging out runner-up Kim Su-ji by a single stroke.

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I am most grateful to have achieved the 10 wins I truly wanted. After reaching 10 wins, I feel a strong sense of a new beginning. All moments were glorious, but now I must forget the past and start anew.

The victory marked Lee's first win of the season and her 10th on the KLPGA Tour, a milestone achieved by only 17 players in the tour's history. Reflecting on the achievement, Lee expressed gratitude and a sense of renewal. "I am most grateful to have achieved the 10 wins I truly wanted," she said. "After reaching 10 wins, I feel a strong sense of a new beginning. All moments were glorious, but now I must forget the past and start anew."

Lee's path to victory was far from smooth. She faced adversity early in the final round, suffering a triple bogey on the par-4 5th hole after a tee shot error led to a lost ball. This setback widened the gap between her and Kim Su-ji. "When I made the triple bogey, I thought, 'This might not be the win for me this time,' but surprisingly, my mind became at ease," Lee recalled. "I decided to let go and do my best with what I could, which led to a good finish."

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When I made the triple bogey, I thought, 'This might not be the win for me this time,' but surprisingly, my mind became at ease. I decided to let go and do my best with what I could, which led to a good finish.

A pivotal moment came on the par-4 9th hole, where Lee executed a "shot eagle" by sinking her second shot from 124 meters out. This dramatic turnaround shifted the momentum of the game. "The wind was tricky, and the lie wasn't great, so I chose a 9-iron, aiming for a safe shot, which resulted in a good outcome," she explained. "I didn't see the ball go in, but I heard the cheers, so I knew it was an eagle." She added, "The shot eagle completely changed the atmosphere. It gave me hope that I could aim for a win if I gave my best."

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The shot eagle completely changed the atmosphere. It gave me hope that I could aim for a win if I gave my best.

Despite battling stomach pain from the 11th hole onwards, Lee maintained her focus. "My stomach hurt a lot from the 11th hole, making it difficult to concentrate," she admitted. "Reciting scripture gave me great strength." She found relief from the 15th hole, allowing her to play more aggressively. Consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, coupled with Kim Su-ji's bogey on the final hole, secured Lee's dramatic comeback victory. Looking ahead, Lee aims to prioritize major tournaments in the remaining half of the season, emphasizing the need for further preparation and physical conditioning.

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My stomach hurt a lot from the 11th hole, making it difficult to concentrate. Reciting scripture gave me great strength.