'Assault Leader' Yumin Hwang to Make Her First Title Defense in Hawaii
Sensational Win as Sponsor Invite at Last Year's Lotte Championship
Ranked Second in Rookie Points in LPGA Tour Debut Season
Kim Hyojoo, Kim Arim, Atthaya Thitikul, and Miyu Yamashita Among Top Contenders
'Captain of the Assault Team' Yumin Hwang will compete in her first title defense.
Yumin Hwang will participate in the LPGA Tour Lotte Championship, which takes place at Hoakalei Country Club (par 72) in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, United States, from October 1, 2026 (local time) over four days. The tournament has a total prize fund of 3 million dollars.
Last year, Yumin Hwang won this tournament. She made headlines by claiming the championship trophy as an invited player by the main sponsor, Lotte. With this victory, she earned her LPGA Tour card and is now in her rookie season this year.
Yumin Hwang challenges for a consecutive championship at the Lotte Championship. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
View original imageHaving won the championship last year as a non-member, Yumin Hwang has yet to claim a win this season. In the first three events of this season, she achieved a top-20 finish, including a tie for fourth place, and currently ranks second in rookie points with 352 points. Rookie points leader Erika Hara of Japan has 489 points. Yumin Hwang, trailing by 137 points, needs top finishes to catch up with Hara. Erika Hara is also competing in this tournament.
On the LPGA Tour, rookie points are awarded as follows in regular tournaments: 150 points for first place, 80 for second, 75 for third, 70 for fourth, and 65 for fifth. Players receive no points if they miss the cut.
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The Lotte Championship began in 2012. Among the past champions are Hyo Joo Kim in 2022 and Kim A Lim in 2024. Yoo Hyunjo and Park Hyejun, who currently compete on the KLPGA Tour, will also play as sponsor invites. Other strong contenders include world No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand and world No. 5 Miyu Yamashita of Japan.
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