Home glory: Hyo Joo Kim defends title at the Aramco Korea Championship

Hyo Joo Kim delivered a composed and professional performance to retain her title at the Aramco Korea Championship on the PIF Global Series, claiming her 25^th professional win with a final-round 69 to finish seven under par at New Korea Country Club.

The home hero, who previously claimed victory by three shots over England’s Charley Hull in 2024, returned to the winner’s circle in South Korea – this time finishing two shots clear of Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini in an impressive display.

The 29-year-old was followed throughout the week by her devoted fan base, ‘Shooting Star’, who turned out in force to support their favourite player – and she didn’t disappoint, delivering another memorable performance that brought smiles to the faces of local fans.

Following her round, she said: “It’s really special to be a winner here again and successfully defend my title. This tournament has given me so many great memories, and I’m truly grateful for the support of my fans. I keep using the word ‘happiness’ – it honestly feels like it’s been my birthday all week!

“Instead of focusing on the competition, I tried to concentrate on my own game. I didn’t feel like I was playing particularly well, and I knew I needed to raise my level. At one point, my caddie asked if I was nervous, and that made me realise my performance wasn’t where it needed to be – that was a turning point that helped me refocus.

“Rather than worry about who might be catching me, I focused on meeting my own expectations. I knew I wasn’t at my best, so I concentrated on getting back to my rhythm and playing at my own pace.”

The event is organised by Golf Saudi and part of the newly announced PIF Global Series – a refreshed, five-event initiative on the Ladies European Tour (LET), with PIF as title partner – underscoring PIF’s long-term commitment to the growth of women’s sport.

This was Kim’s second win of her 2025 campaign having won in the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in March and her third title on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

When speaking about her fans and how she is going to celebrate tonight, she said: "Golf is my job and it can be stressful. But thanks to my fans, I can really put down this stress and enjoy the game. I lived in the moment and really enjoyed it today. I'll be celebrating with my family tonight.”

Seojin Park, the 17-year-old amateur, was another South Korean standout at New Korea Country Club, firing a superb seven-under-par 65 in the final round to finish at four under for the tournament – just one shot behind Chiara Tamburlini and two ahead of Austria’s Emma Spitz in fourth.

Park, who counts Hyo Joo Kim among her biggest inspirations, spoke about what it meant to compete alongside her idol, she said: "My role model is Hyo Joo Kim. I had the chance to play with her at the BMW Ladies Championship two years ago, and it left such a strong impression that I’ve looked up to her ever since.

"It’s such a valuable experience to play in international events like this as an amateur. The other players were so friendly and welcoming – it made the tournament even more enjoyable."

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, believes an exciting 2025 is in store for women’s golf, he said: “The conclusion of the PIF Global Series in Seoul marks another bold step forward for the future of women’s golf. The evolution of the series, which provides greater playing opportunities and higher prize money for players, reflects the growing momentum of women’s golf globally. This progress also underscores our commitment to expanding sports investments and developing the game’s foundation, reinforcing its position as an inclusive and sustainable sport.

“What this weekend truly demonstrated is that golf is more than just a sport—it’s a bridge connecting people, cultures, businesses, and industries worldwide. By hosting these global tournaments in places like Korea—with its rich history of success and determination in and beyond golf—we can carry forward these partnerships and valuable experiences as we strive to inspire the next generation in Saudi Arabia by strengthening sports infrastructure and creating new opportunities for growth and excellence.”