Kim Hyo-joo becomes a major champion at 19
South Korean holds jer nerve against Karrie Webb, a seven-time major winner more than twice her age
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Having already made major history with the lowest ever round, South Korean teenager Kim Hyo-joo enhanced her reputation by beating Australian veteran Karrie Webb by one shot on Sunday to win the Evian Championship and become the third youngest major winner at 19 years, two months.
I feel very happy, like a bird. I want to fly in the sky
Kim trailed the 39-year-old Webb by one shot heading into the final hole. But she turned the tables with a birdie from 12 feet, and Webb then missed a chance to force a play-off when a difficult attempt for par from the same distance drifted left of the hole.
Kim led Webb by one shot overnight and they both posted three-under rounds of 68 in perfect conditions, with no clouds or wind to disrupt them.
“I feel very happy, like a bird,” Kim said through a translator. “I want to fly in the sky.”
She collected the 350,000-euro prize and the added bonus of a free pass onto next season’s LPGA Tour.
Kim has been flying since her record-breaking 61 in Thursday’s first round, the lowest in men’s and women’s majors. She finished on 11-under 273 overall.
Kim had played here before, tying for fourth in 2012 – the final year before Evian became the fifth major.
Webb, meanwhile, was looking to win her eighth career major and first since Kraft Nabisco in 2006.
“I believe in fate a little bit, and I wasn’t meant to win,” Webb said. “I hit a lot of good putts this week. Probably the one on the last was the poorest I hit all week.”
Only Morgan Pressel and Lexi Thompson – both from the US – have won majors at a younger age than Kim, who is studying physical education in Seoul.
She seemed to take it all in her stride.
When Webb’s putt rolled wide, Kim removed her glasses slowly and then walked up to give Webb a small hug.
Webb finished ahead of three other South Koreans. Jang Ha-na and Hur Mi-jung were tied for third at nine under, with Choi Na-yeon in fifth another shot back. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway was one behind her.
The shot of the day belonged to Japan’s Mika Miyazato: a hole in one on the 16th.
Meanwhile, Michelle Wie, who pulled out during the first round because of a recurrence of her right index finger injury, won the inaugural Rolex Annika Major award.
Named after retired Swedish great Annika Sorenstam, it honours the player with the best overall record in the five majors. Wie won the US Women’s Open and finished second at the Kraft Nabisco.
“I am extremely proud of myself,” said Wie, who hopes to be back playing in China next month.
