Ma Seoyeong Wins First Career Title... 'Winning Par on Second Playoff Hole'

Cheers after winning on the second playoff hole at the Iceberg Golf · Seoul Newspaper Open

Beats Sung Yujin to secure a full tour card through 2028

Yi Yewon and Kim Sihyeon tie for third; Kim Minsol finishes fifth

Ma Seoyeong savored the joy of her first career victory.

On the 18th, Ma Seoyeong carded two birdies and three bogeys for a 1-over-par round in the third round of the KLPGA Tour Iceberg Golf-Seoul Newspaper Open, held at H1 Club (par 72, 6,953 yards) in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. The tournament had a total purse of 1.5 billion won. Ma finished at 4-under-par 212, tied with Sung Yujin, then made a crucial par to win on the second playoff hole, which resumed at the 18th hole (par 4). It was her first title since making her KLPGA Tour debut in 2023. She earned 270 million won in prize money.

Ma Seoyeong smiles with the trophy on her lap immediately after winning the Iceberg Golf-Seoul Newspaper Open. Courtesy of the KLPGA.

In the final round, played in inclement weather with strong winds and rain, the players in the final group were unable to hold their scores, leading to a closely contested finish. Ma began with a one-shot lead and made a birdie on the first hole (par 4), but faltered with consecutive bogeys on holes 2 and 3. She made her second birdie on the fourth hole (par 4), then bogeyed the fifth (par 3) after her tee shot went into the rough. She made par on each of the remaining 13 holes, allowing Sung Yujin, who finished 1-under for the round, to force a playoff.

Ma and Sung both made par on the first playoff hole, leaving the match undecided. On the second playoff hole, Ma reached the green in two, while Sung's tee shot landed in the rough on the left and her second shot finished in the rough near the green. Sung ultimately bogeyed the hole. From about 8.4 meters away, Ma made two putts to secure a precious par.

Ma comfortably surpassed her previous best results: a tie for ninth at the Nexen · Saintnine Masters in April and a tie for ninth at the Aurora World Championship in July. Before this tournament, she ranked 56th on the season money list and had been concerned about retaining her tour card for next year. With this win, she has secured playing rights through the 2028 season.

Ma Seoyeong aims at her target on the 3rd hole during the final round of the Iceberg Golf Seoul Shinmun Open. Photo courtesy of the KLPGA.

In an interview immediately after her victory, Ma said, "It was my first time competing in a playoff. It was fun and a great experience." She added, "I'm grateful that I got to play alongside players who have won before, rather than focusing on how nervous I was." She continued, "Today, I told myself not to get greedy and just make pars. I let go of everything and played." She also said, "I'm not a particularly talented player, but I won. I hope many young golfers with dreams will keep their spirits up."

Sung Yujin, who has four career wins but has not won this year, was on a roll after shooting 3-under through the 14th hole, but consecutive bogeys on holes 15 and 16 proved costly. It was her sixth top-10 finish this year. Lee Yewon and Kim Sihyeon tied for third at 3-under-par 213. Kim Minsol, the leader on the season money list, finished tied for fifth at 2-under-par 214 alongside Choi Eunwoo, Lee Chaeeun and Kim Minju.

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