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Yuri Yoshida Wins First LPGA Title by One Stroke

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 6:09 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Yuri Yoshida captured her first LPGA Tour title at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
She won by one stroke, finishing 17-under-par 271 ahead of Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin.
Entering the final round four strokes back, Yoshida shot a four-under-par 68, including an eagle and three birdies.
The victory earned her $352,500 and made her the fourth Japanese golfer to win on the LPGA Tour this season.

History

Historical Context

In 1977, Japanese golfer Hisako Higuchi captured the LPGA Championship, becoming the first player from Japan to win on the LPGA Tour. Higuchi earned $11,250 from the $75,000 purse, a record for a Japanese winner at the time, and sparked national interest. Yuri Yoshida’s 2024 BMW Ladies Championship triumph in South Korea, edging Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin by one stroke, mirrors Higuchi’s breakthrough by adding a fourth Japanese victor this season. The pattern underscores Japan’s growing influence on the LPGA, prompting sponsors like Mitsubishi and the Japan Golf Association to invest heavily in emerging talent.

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Story summary

Yuri Yoshida captured her first LPGA Tour title at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea.
She won by one stroke, finishing 17-under-par 271 ahead of Ryu Hae-ran and Choi Hye-jin.
Entering the final round four strokes back, Yoshida shot a four-under-par 68, including an eagle and three birdies.
The victory earned her $352,500 and made her the fourth Japanese golfer to win on the LPGA Tour this season.

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