Published July 17, 2008 on October 3, 2021

Heartbreak For Lee As Song Stages Late Drama to Claim Breakthrough at Hana Financial Group Championship

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It was another heartbreak for Major winner Minjee Lee of Australia as she was denied her first win in the country of her heritage by KLPGA (Korean Ladies Professional Golfers Association) Tour rookie Song Ga Eun at the Hana Financial Group Championship on Sunday.
 

Lee was beaten in the third playoff hole by Song at the Adonis Country Club after both ended regulation play with their four-day total of 15-under-par 269.
 

Lee’s long putt attempt for birdie rolled wide, and she could only watch on in frustration as her younger rival did not miss with her short birdie roll.
 

Song had water splashed on her by her fellow peers immediately after converting her birdie as she picked up the winner’s cheque of 270 million won (USD228,306).
 

Lee had completed the final round with a two-under-par 69 earlier, while 20-year-old Song, also playing in the same flight, forced the playoff after closing with a birdie for a final round 68.
 

South Koreans Kim Ji Yeong and Kim Su Ji finished tied for third on 270 total with their respective 65 and 69.
 

World number nine Lydia Ko signed off on a high note with a flawless 68. The New Zealander star was tied for fifth with South Koreans Jang Su Yeon (68) and Ryu Hae Ran (69) at 271 total.
 

Lee, who was born in Perth to Korean immigrant parents, can be excused for feeling frustrated as it is the second time in two weeks the 25-year-old will have to be contented with second place.

The Australian was runner-up after losing by one shot at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship last week. She was on course to claim her second title of the year as she was two shots ahead of the chasing pack with four holes left to play.
 

However, her lead was cut to one after she bogeyed on hole 15 and had to accept her fate after failing to convert birdie chances in the remaining three holes.
 

Lee will still go back with 165 million won (USD139,520) for the runner-up finish in the second most lucrative tournament on the KLPGA Tour this season.
 

Song, meanwhile, was smiling the most beneath the mask after bagging her first tournament since turning professional early this year.
 

“I was nervous even before the round began, so I really feel like I’ve won and have done it. I’m even happier to have won my first tournament during my rookie year,” said Song, who felt the birdie on the 18th hole was what turned things around for her.
 

“Making that birdie was the only way for me to go into overtime. To be honest, I didn’t even know my score up until then, but before I hit my third shot on the 18th, my caddie told me I was off one stroke from the leader. I decided to hit my third shot more aggressively and without any regrets for the best birdie opportunity. Thankfully, I was able to do just that,” added the Hana Financial Group Championship winner.