Yealimi Noh clinched her first LPGA victory at the Founders Cup, a significant milestone in her professional golfing career. The tournament took place at the picturesque Bradenton Country Club, where Noh delivered an impressive performance with a four-day total of 21-under 263. In a bogey-free final round, she closed with a 3-under 68, securing a comfortable four-shot lead over her nearest competitor, Jin Young Ko. The victory marked the first tournament of the year and Noh's 111th career start.
Noh's triumph came after a series of challenging seasons, making her victory even more commendable. In 2024, she made 21 cuts in 25 starts, demonstrating consistent improvement. Her dedication and persistence were evident when she was chosen as a captain's pick for the Solheim Cup in 2021. Noh's transition to using the broomstick putter last year played a crucial role in her success. She credited the putter with enhancing her self-belief and confidence on the course.
"Just having a lot of better results and getting my confidence back and contending a few times last season really helped me carry that out through the winter and just really prepare for this week," – Yealimi Noh
Jin Young Ko, finishing second, expressed nonchalance about not winning despite her strong performance, closing four strokes behind Noh.
"I had bogey today. I mean, I don't care about winning," – Jin Young Ko
Top-ranked Nelly Korda ended the tournament nine shots back after finishing with a 71. Noh's win was not only a personal achievement but also highlighted her resilience and adaptability. Her struggles with putting in 2023 prompted her to make changes that ultimately paid off.
"I was really struggling with my putting in 2023. Switching to the broomstick gave me back my confidence, got my shots back, just boosted my confidence," – Yealimi Noh
The Founders Cup victory marks a promising start to Noh's year, setting high expectations for her future tournaments. Her preparation and newfound confidence suggest that this is only the beginning of what could be a breakthrough season.
"Just felt really ready — this was going to be my year and week." – Yealimi Noh
Leave a Reply