Hyo Joo Kim outlasts Hinako Shibuno to win LOTTE Championship

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Hyo Joo Kim of The Republic of Korea poses with the Lotte Championship Trophy after winning the LOTTE Championship at Hoakalei Country Club on April 16, 2022 in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Hyo Joo Kim clinched her fifth career LPGA Tour title on Saturday, winning the 2022 LOTTE Championship by two strokes over Hinako Shibuno of Japan.

The 26-year-old shot a final-round 71 to finish 11 under at the Hoakalei Country Club.

Saturday’s championship came down to the wire, as Kim, who entered the final round with a three-stroke lead, bogeyed the par-3 17th to cut her advantage to a single stroke. Kim quickly rebounded, though, sinking a 2-foot birdie putt on the 18th to claim victory.

“I’m proud of that shot,” said Kim. “Maybe I made a lot of people like sit on the edge of their chairs, so I felt great about it.”

Shibuno carded a bogey-free 70 on Saturday, finishing at -9, just behind Kim for a dramatic finale to the LOTTE Championship.

Kim will take home a $300,000 purse in addition to her LOTTE trophy.