Lee Seung-min, Kim Na-young take second and third; Park Sung-hyun finishes 59th
Ma Da-som, a four-time winner on the KLPGA Tour, claimed the top spot in the 2027 season seed rankings tournament, securing her return to the regular tour.
Playing Friday at Muan Country Club (par 72, 6,341 yards) in Muan-gun, South Jeolla Province, Ma carded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 in the final round, collecting six birdies.
Her total score of 19-under-par 269 (69-67-67-66) edged second-place Lee Seung-min, 21, by one stroke to claim the No. 1 seed ranking.
Ma debuted on the regular tour in 2022 and claimed her first win at the OK Financial Group Utsman Open in 2023. She added three more victories in 2024 to share the season's multiple-wins title. This year, however, she finished 65th on the money list — not enough to retain her regular tour card. The top seed finish secures her a spot on next year's regular tour.
"My putting touch was good, and my tee shots, which had been shaky, found their stability again," Ma said. "In the 2027 season, I want to experience the joy of winning again."
Lee Seung-min, who competed on the Dream Tour during the 2026 season, finished second at 18-under-par 270. Kim Na-young, 23, of Mediheal took third at 17-under-par 271. Jeong Seul-gi, 31, and Hwang Yu-na, 23, of Rejuran finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Park Sung-hyun, who was looking to return to the domestic circuit, finished 59th at 2-under-par 286 (72-72-70-72). Choi Un-jeong, 36, a former LPGA Tour player, finished 70th. Generally, finishing inside the top 20 guarantees most tournament starts, while finishing outside the top 50 makes a stable schedule difficult to secure.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
