Bae Kyung-eun wins Champions Tour title with long birdie putt in playoff

Bae Kyung-eun claimed victory at the 2026 Grand CC-Samdaein Hongsam Ball Champions Tour fifth event, which carried a purse of 70 million won, defeating Hong Jin-ju in a playoff.

In the final round Thursday at Grand Country Club (par 72) in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Bae carded a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 9-under 135, level with Hong. She then drained a long-range birdie putt on the first playoff hole to seal the win.

On the par-4 18th hole used for the playoff, Bae sank a 15-meter birdie putt while Hong could only manage par. The victory was Bae's second of the season, making her the first multiple winner on the Champions Tour this year. "I knew it wouldn't be easy going up against Hong Jin-ju in a playoff," she said. "My putt position was similar to where I had been during the regular round. I saw the uphill slope and went for it boldly, and the ball just dropped in. It felt like a miraculous, thrilling moment — I don't think I could do it again if I tried."

Bae took home the winner's check of 10.5 million won ($7,370), her second title following her third-event victory, and moved up to fifth on the season money list with 23 million won. Runner-up Hong Jin-ju climbed to the top of the money rankings with 31 million won for the season.

Kim Sun-mi, who had led after the opening round, finished alone in third at 8-under 136. Lee Silvia took sole fourth place at 7-under 137.