South Korea’s Sei Young Kim wins Marathon Classic

The Associated Press

5 years ago

Sei Young Kim holds the trophy after winning the Marathon LPGA Classic tournament on Sunday Jul ... — Sei Young Kim holds the trophy after winning the Marathon LPGA Classic tournament on Sunday July 14, 2019, at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. (Rebecca Benson/The Blade via AP)

Winner Sei Young Kim is hugged by runner-up Lexi Thompson on No. 18, after the final round of the LPGA Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio on Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Lori King/The Blade via AP)

Sei Young Kim smiles and waves at the crowd as she wins the Marathon LPGA Classic tournament on Sunday July 14, 2019, at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. (Rebecca Benson/The Blade via AP)

Sei Young Kim waves to fans after making par in the final round of the LPGA Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio on Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Lori King/The Blade via AP)

Sei Young Kim chips onto No. 14 during the final round of the LPGA Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio on Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Lori King/The Blade via AP)

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Sei Young Kim won the Marathon Classic on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour victory of the season, making five straight birdies in a mid-round burst and shooting a 6-under 66 for a two-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson.

Kim began the birdie run on No. 7 and finished at a tournament-record 22-under 262 at Highland Meadows Golf Club. The 26-year-old South Korean player has nine tour titles, also winning the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship in May in California.

“I really wanted another win, especially this week, because the last two weeks I play really bad,” Ki said.

Thompson, a stroke behind Kim entering the day, closed birdie-eagle for a 66.

“She played some amazing golf,” Thompson said. “I didn’t have my best ball-striking day, but 5 under, finished well. She played amazing. It’s very well deserved.”

Six shots ahead of Thompson after the birdie run, Kim played the final seven holes in even par, offsetting a birdie on 15 with a bogey on 1. Kim broke the event mark of 263 set by In-Kyung Kim in 2017.

She’s focused on winning her first major title, with The Evian Championship and Women’s British Open coming up.

“I haven’t had a win the major tournament yet,” Kim said. “I think I try too much when I play the major tournament. I just play the same as regular tournament, even major. … Just let it go. Let it happen.”

Stacy Lewis was third at 16 under after a 66. She was born in nearby Toledo.

“It was a lot of fun,” Lewis said. “More putts have gone in this week than in the years past. It was nice to give my family something to cheer for.”

U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 had a 69 to finish fourth at 14 under.

Jennifer Kupcho tied for fifth at 11 under after a 71, playing alongside Lewis.

“Getting to play with Stacy — and Lexi yesterday — seeing how their ball-striking is and how good their iron game is, definitely something to work on and definitely can learn and did learn from their games,” Kupcho said.

The former Wake Forest star won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.

Linnea Strom (65), Tiffany Joh (67), Caroline Masson (68) and Pavarisa Yoktuan (69) also were 11 under.

Kupcho earned a spot in the Women’s British Open along with Joh, Strom, Yoktuan and Mariajo Uribe.