Gina Kim and Yana Wilson won their first LPGA Tour titles at the Dow Championship, closing with a superb eight-under 62 in the foursomes format for a two-stroke victory. The pair finished at 17-under par at Midland Country Club in Michigan.
Their final-round performance in the difficult alternate-shot format was the key to victory, separating them from runners-up Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi. The win is a significant career milestone for both players, who graduated from the Epson Tour last season. Kim, 26, captured the title in her 64th LPGA start, while 19-year-old rookie Wilson won in just her ninth appearance. The foundation for their partnership was built on past experience competing together.
“Part of the reason I asked Yana to be my partner is we actually played in the final group on Epson and we’ve played together numerous times,” Kim explained, highlighting the trust built between them under pressure.
For Wilson, being in contention on the LPGA Tour was an unfamiliar feeling, which she and Kim acknowledged during the final hole. Wilson said: “Even as a team, I feel like both of us haven’t been in this leading position.”
Despite the new experience, the pair maintained their composure to secure the win.
Wilson added: “So it’s a little nervy out there. I feel like we handled it really well.” The victory provides both players with significant momentum as the tour season continues. The schedule moves to the Meijer LPGA Classic before the year’s next major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, begins on June 25.
