Lee Da-yeon stages comeback for 10th KLPGA Tour win

Lee Da-yeon staged a dramatic comeback to win the KLPGA Tour's Aurora World Championship, securing her 10th career victory. The 29-year-old golfer finished one stroke ahead of Kim Su-ji, carding a final round of 3-under-par 69 for a total of 12-under-par 276. This win, her first in nine months, marks a significant milestone, achieving her 10th KLPGA Tour title in her 10th year since debuting in 2016. Lee's career has been marked by resilience, earning her the nickname 'Otukyi' (roly-poly doll) due to her ability to bounce back from injuries, including ankle and wrist surgeries, and a traffic accident. "There were many difficult times, including surgery and early season endings. I even doubted if I could continue my career," Lee shared. "I was able to get back up thanks to the help of sponsors and those around me. The 10th win feels more like a new beginning."

Lee's final round saw a rollercoaster of emotions. She started the day two shots behind leader Kim Su-ji, but a birdie on the third hole put her in a tie for the lead. However, a triple bogey on the fifth hole dropped her to a tie for fifth. "After the triple bogey, I let go of a lot of my emotions. I thought, 'Maybe this isn't the year for a win.' But I decided to just do my best with what I could control, and that made me feel more at ease, allowing me to finish strong," Lee reflected. The turning point came on the ninth hole with a spectacular shot-for-eagle from about 123 meters, propelling her into a tie for second. "The shot-for-eagle completely changed the atmosphere. I felt a glimmer of hope that I could aim for a win if I pushed a little harder. It was the biggest turning point of the day," she said.

With the momentum from the eagle, Lee continued to apply pressure, sinking birdies on the 15th and 17th holes to trail Kim by one stroke. She then seized the lead on the final 18th hole with a 2.6-meter birdie putt after reaching the green in two shots. Meanwhile, Kim Su-ji missed a shorter 2.2-meter par putt, allowing Lee to clinch the victory. Lee expressed her determination to prepare more for the remaining three major tournaments in the latter half of the season. While Kim Su-ji narrowly missed her seventh career win, she surpassed 5 billion won in cumulative prize money, becoming the sixth player in KLPGA Tour history to do so.