Sei Young Kim Claims BMW Ladies Championship with Dominant Performance

Sei Young Kim secured a commanding victory at the BMW Ladies Championship on October 22, 2023, finishing four strokes ahead of her competitors. The event, held at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, South Korea, marked Kim’s first win in her home country and her first tournament victory since the 2020 ANNIKA.

Kim delivered an impressive final round, shooting a 67 to conclude the championship with a remarkable total score of 24-under 264. Her win is particularly significant as she becomes the 27th different woman to claim victory on the LPGA Tour this season, setting a new tour record.

In describing her journey back to the winner’s circle, the 32-year-old golfer expressed her gratitude and insights gained from the experience. “So there were many chances where I could have won, so I thought very hard why I couldn’t get the chances,” Kim stated. “But in the past I was trying to set a particular way to resolve that, but I realize that that wasn’t really working.” She emphasized the importance of adaptability, stating, “I tried to reset the whole thing and not just stick with one method, just doing impromptu and just facing the challenge.”

Kim’s final round included six birdies, although it was marred slightly by a bogey on the par-3 third hole. Nasa Hataoka of Japan also finished with a final round of 67 and concluded the tournament at 268, unable to close the gap on Kim.

Celine Boutier from France and Kim A-lim of South Korea both finished tied for third, each scoring 67 and 66, respectively, and finishing six strokes behind Kim. Despite not winning, Hataoka was pleased with her performance. “I had a great week. I played pretty solid every single day, and yeah, I really enjoyed it,” she said, reflecting on her experience playing alongside Kim.

Boutier also shared her satisfaction, saying, “Definitely some positives. I definitely feel like I could have improved a few shots here and there, especially off the tee.”

The defending champion, Hannah Green from Australia, managed to finish in a tie for fifth with American Yealimi Noh, both players scoring 66 in the final round, ending their tournament seven shots back. Green acknowledged the pressure of defending her title, stating, “I think coming back to a place where I am defending, I put a bit more pressure on myself… It was nice to have some good results.”

Kim’s victory at the BMW Ladies Championship not only adds to her illustrious career but also reinforces her status as a formidable competitor on the LPGA Tour. With this win, she sets her sights on future challenges, buoyed by the knowledge that her adaptable approach can lead to success on the course.