Park Bokyem Claims First Major Victory... Celebrates Fourth Career Win

Comeback Victory at the KB Financial Golden Life Championship

One Win Each Year Since Her First Major Title in 2023

Park Yeji, Bang Shinsil, and Yoo Seyoun Share Second Place, One Stroke Behind

Park Bokyem has claimed the title of "Major Queen."

On September 13, at Blackstone Golf Club (par 72) in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, she competed in the fourth round of the KB Financial Golden Life Championship, the third major tournament of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour season, which offered a total prize fund of 1.5 billion won. She made three birdies and two bogeys to finish with a 1-under-par 71. With a final total of 5-under-par 283 strokes, Park Bokyem edged out Park Yeji, Bang Shinsil, and Yoo Seyoun (all at 4-under-par 284 strokes), who shared second place, by one stroke.

Bo-Gyeom Park is smiling while holding the trophy after winning the KB Financial Golden Life Championship. Photo by KLPGA

Park Bokyem, who made her debut on the regular tour in 2021, secured her fourth career victory after 18 months, following her win at the Blue Canyon Ladies Championship in March last year. This victory marks her first triumph at a major tournament, earning her a winner's prize of 270 million won. She has won one title every year since 2023.

Starting the round tied for second place, one stroke behind the leader, Park Bokyem got off to a strong start with consecutive birdies on the 1st and 3rd holes. However, she stumbled with bogeys on the 5th and 7th holes, struggling to reduce her score, before bouncing back with a birdie on the 8th hole (par 4), returning to under par. She then proceeded to play a steady game, making pars over the remaining 10 holes without a single bogey, ultimately securing the championship.

Immediately after her victory, Park Bokyem said in an interview, "This week was long but rewarding because I achieved my personal goal of winning a major tournament. I believe this good fortune came to me because I’m surrounded by great people," she said with a bright smile. She added, "Blackstone Golf Club is a place where mistakes happen if you try too hard. I focused on placing the ball for easy birdie putts, and that led to good results. While I have been winning one event each year, I definitely want to achieve multiple wins this year."

Park Yeji, who was the leader the previous day, dropped three strokes on the front nine with one birdie, two bogeys, and one double bogey, but picked up birdies on the 14th and 18th holes to finish with a shared runner-up. She joined the KLPGA Tour in 2024 but has yet to secure a win. Seo Gyolim, who has won four tournaments this year, finished fifth with a score of 3-under-par 285. "Super rookie" Kim Minsol placed in a tie for 47th at 9-over-par 297 strokes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.