Korean golfer Lee Mi-hyang kisses the trophy after winning the 2026 LPGA Blue Bay golf tournament at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club in Lingshui on China's southern Hainan island, Sunday. AFP-Yonhap
Lee Mi-hyang has claimed her third career LPGA title in China, ending a long winless drought in the process.
Lee won the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in Hainan Island, China, on Sunday by shooting an 11-under 277. The 32-year-old Korean held off Zhang Weiwei of China by one stroke and earned $390,000 in prize money.
Lee struggled to a final round of one-over 73. She had two double bogeys, two bogeys and two birdies on the chaotic front nine, but recovered with three birdies over the back nine, including a title-clinching birdie at the par-5 18th.
This was Lee's first victory since the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open in July 2017.
It was the fourth tournament of the 2026 LPGA season and Lee is the first Korean winner of the year.
The four LPGA tournaments so far have all produced different champions.
Lee started the final round with a three-shot lead and began Sunday with a birdie on the opening hole.
Struggling with her shot in windy conditions, however, Lee bogeyed the second hole and then committed a double bogey at the par-4 fifth to fall to 10-under.
A bad chip shot led to a bogey at the par-3 seventh, and Lee fell into a tie for first with Zhang.
Source: Korea Times News
