South Korea’s Kim Kayoung delivered a career-defining performance, producing the most stunning round of the tournament when it mattered most – a solid 68 that netted her a one-stroke victory over Thai Nook Sukapan at the ICTSI Worldwide Link Philippine Ladies Masters 2025 at The Country Club here on Friday.
The final round was a heart-stopping rollercoaster, where the lead changed hands multiple times, resembling a game of musical chairs. With the TCC’s notoriously unforgiving conditions adding an extra layer of drama, players jostled for control, making for a gripping battle to the finish.
But the day belonged to Kim, who saved her best for the last to claim her maiden victory. She birdied four of the first 10 holes to rally from four strokes behind second day leader Kim Ahyeon then bucked the stretch run pressure and parred the rest to post a bogey-free round (33-35) in a kind of final round performance that wins big-time championships.
Her bunker shot on the 72nd hole, landing just three feet from the cup to save par, was nothing short of a masterclass – a defining moment for a player had endured a long, winless stretch since turning pro in 2019, even losing her Korean LPGA card along the way.
With the leaderboard flashing her name at the top, Kim stood over her second shot on the final hole, a mix of nerves and determination coursing through her. The moment demanded precision, yet her approach landed in the bunker – a tough position with her one-stroke lead hanging in the balance.
“I remember it so vividly,” recalled Kim through a translator. “Right after I looked up at the leaderboard, my second shot found the bunker. But I stayed calm, focused and executed the shot I needed to save par.”
For Kim, the victory was more than just a trophy; it was the realization of a lifelong dream.
“Winning is something I’ve always dreamed of. And when a dream becomes reality, it’s hard to believe,” said Kim, who will turn 23 on Feb. 28.
“It’s an incredible birthday present – and a Valentine’s gift at the same time,” she added.
Kim’s journey to this moment was anything but smooth. After losing her Tour card, she underwent a complete swing overhaul, a process that tested her patience but ultimately paved the way for this breakthrough win.
“That process helped me win today,” she said.
Throughout the final round, she was fully aware of the tense battle unfolding on the leaderboard. Contenders lurked, ready to pounce on any misstep. Yet, playing alongside Nook Sukapan, whose easygoing demeanor radiated positivity, provided an unexpected source of comfort.
“Nook was playing with such a relaxed and confident mindset,” said Kim. “Seeing her approach the game that way helped put me at ease. And I think that made a real difference.”
Away from the spotlight after an opening 73, Kim burst into contention at joint fifth with a 68 Thursday then overhauled a huge deficit to pull ahead and clinch the hotly-disputed crown at seven-under 209 total as Wang Li-Ning, who led midway through the final round with a three-under card, wilted under pressure at the exacting closing stretch of TCC.
In contrast, as the pressure mounted and challengers faltered, Kim remained unfazed. Her unwavering control over her game, particularly on the closing holes, separated her from the pack. While her rivals scrambled to keep up, Kim methodically navigated the treacherous layout, parring her way home to seal the victory.
Wang bogeyed Nos. 15 and 16 to drop out of the lead then holed out with another bogey on No. 18 to wind up with a 72 and fell to third at 211 in a disappointing finish for Taiwan’s No. 4 player in the $200,000 championship held in collaboration with the Korean LPGA, the LPGA of Taiwan and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.
Kim, who missed the cut in the Indonesian Open last month, pocketed the top purse of $30,000 while Sukapan closed out with a 69 for a 210 worth $21,000 and Wang settled for $16,000 with a 211 after a 72.
Pauline del Rosario, the first and last Filipina standing in title contention, saw her hopes fade early after back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 2 and 3. But she fought back with five birdies, including on the difficult 18th, off-setting her three more bogeys to salvage an even-par 72.
She posted a strong joint fourth place effort with a 212, three strokes off Kim. Other four-under par scorers were Han Nakyoung, who also shared the lead with a solid three-under card after 10 holes but faltered with two bogeys and a double bogey to end up with a 73.
Despite a rollercoaster finish, del Rosario was pleased with her Top 5 performance, emphasizing the valuable lessons she gained as she gears up for her Epson Tour campaign in Florida later this month.
“There wasn’t really a standout highlight in my round, but I was happy to make birdies – even though I also had too many bogeys,” said del Rosario. She cited her struggles with putting and reading the green speeds as key challenges that hindered her title bid.
“My round was up and down. Every time I made a birdie, I thought I could build momentum, but it was just really unpredictable. I kept pushing for more birdies all the way to the last hole,” she added.
One bright spot was her closing hole, where she avenged a costly bogey from Thursday’s round. “The pin placement was tough – tucked at the top ahead of the bunker back right, and the green was firm. But I managed to stick it to within 12 feet and convert the putt,” she said.
Reflecting on her performance, del Rosario remained optimistic: “There’s a lot to improve on, but also a lot of positives to take away. I’m happy with my Top 5 finish.”
Meanwhile, Kim Jisu also charged back from out of nowhere to earn a shot at the crown with a fiery six-under card after 13 holes. But she bogeyed two of the last five holes to finish with a 68 and tie the ICTSI-backed del Rosario, Han and Kim Seoyoon, who fumbled with a 73, at fourth.
Cho Jeongmin, who lost to Hwang Yoon in sudden death in Jakarta, shot a 70 to tie for eighth at 213 with Kim Nahyun (71), Navaporn Soontreeyapas (71) and Pattharat Rattanawat (73).
Heading into the final round, second-round leader Kim Ahyeon appeared poised to sustain her momentum, but the pressure of leading such a high-caliber field quickly took its toll. Two early bogeys on Nos. 2 and 4 sent her tumbling down the leaderboard, allowing Han Nakyoung to seize control with a three-under card through 10 holes.
Kim Ahyeon skied to a 78 and fell to joint 13th at 215.
Not far behind, Wang stayed patient, picking her moments to strike. Entering the day two shots off the lead at joint third, she played with laser focus, carding four birdies against a lone bogey through 10 holes. Her precision and composure propelled her to the top of the leaderboard at eight-under overall, only to stumble with her late-hole meltdown.
Han’s grip on the lead was short-lived, as she bogeyed the 11th, opening the door for Wang, who seized the opportunity with steady pars the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, Dottie Ardina fired a 70 to tie for 24th at 218, while Florence Bisera shared 31st place at 220 after a 76, and Samantha Bruce carded a 73 for joint 38th at 221.
