Golfer eyes regular tour seed at season finale
Kim Na-young has claimed her first career victory on the KLPGA Dream Tour.
The 23-year-old, who plays for Mediheal, won the KLPGA 2026 DB Dream Tour 20th event — held at Rainbow Hills Country Club (par 72) in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province — with a three-round total of 7-under-par 209. The purse was 100 million won ($74,600).
Kim entered the final round tied for the lead and carded three birdies against one bogey for a 2-under 70, pulling away from joint runners-up Lee Seung-min, 21, and Gil Ye-ram, 20, by three strokes.
"I had lingering pain from a knee procedure I had last year, and it stayed with me into the early part of the season," Kim said. "But my condition has improved recently, and I think the confidence I've built in my driver shots is what carried me to this win."
Kim won twice on the Jump Tour in 2021 and has alternated between the regular tour and the Dream Tour since 2022. She finished 64th on the regular tour's money list last year, which placed her on the Dream Tour this season.
The victory added 15 million won to her earnings, lifting her cumulative total to 25.04 million won and moving her up the money list from 48th to 17th. The top 15 on the Dream Tour money list earn a regular tour card for next season, making the outcome of the remaining season finale significant for Kim.
Ju Ka-in, 23, held on to the top spot on the money list with cumulative earnings of 47.51 million won.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
