Yoo Hyun-jo wins inaugural DB Women’s Championship for first victory of 2026

Yoo Hyun-jo, last year’s KLPGA Tour Player of the Year, earned her first win of the 2026 season at the newly created DB Women’s Championship (total purse 1.2 billion won). [Photo=KLPGA]

"I’m going to let go of the impatience about winning and just try to play golf in a fun, enjoyable way."

Yoo won the inaugural DB Women’s Championship on the KLPGA Tour on May 3 at Rainbow Hills Country Club (par 72) in Eumseong, North Chungcheong province, finishing at 7-under 281.

She shot an even-par 72 in the final round with two birdies and two bogeys, then held off Ko Ji-won, Kim Min-sol and Lee Da-yeon by one stroke. The three tied for second at 6-under 282. Yoo earned 216 million won in prize money.

Yoo, the 2024 KLPGA rookie of the year and last year’s Player of the Year and scoring champion, picked up her third career tour win — her first since the KB Financial Star Championship in September, eight months ago.

"I’m so happy I could become the first champion of this event," Yoo said after the round. "I had a tough time early this year. I think I’m even happier because I was able to recover quickly and win."

Yoo entered the season with high expectations after last year’s top honors, but struggled early. She failed to contend in her first four starts and missed the cut at the Nexen-Saint Nine Masters, which ended April 19. She turned things around with a tie for third at the Dukshin EPC Championship, which ended April 26, and carried that confidence into this week.

Yoo said she put extra pressure on herself after last season.

"Because I did so well last year, I thought I could do even better this year," she said. "The feeling that I had to be better grew, and I became afraid of making mistakes. That led to bad results. Starting with the last tournament, I tried to empty my mind a bit. I wanted to play golf happily as Yoo Hyun-jo before being a golfer. I think this win came from letting go of greed and impatience."

She said the change helped her stay steady even when things went wrong.

"I think not being impatient was the driving force behind this win," Yoo said. "When I made mistakes, I thought, ‘Winning isn’t something I can do just because I want to.’ I just tried to do my best where I was. I think I won because I didn’t get greedy — including in how I attacked the course."

Yoo said she is still aiming to lead the tour in wins this season, but does not want to chase results.

"This win will give a big boost to my hopes of becoming the multiple-wins leader," she said. "That’s still my goal. But I won’t rush just to win. I plan to enjoy it and have fun, like I did this week."

Ko, who led alone after rounds 1 through 3, was seeking her first multiple-win season but lost two strokes in the final round and settled for second.

Park Ju-young, described as a “mom golfer,” posted the day’s best score by cutting five strokes. She finished tied for fifth at 5-under 283 with Kim Soo-ji and Han Jin-seon.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon