Yang Yun-seo Rises to LPGA Major Challenge

Houston, Texas, United States: Yang Yun-seo’s stock continues to rise. Less than 10 weeks after being crowned Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) champion, the Korean teenager captured the attention of the golfing world during the LPGA Tour’s first Major of the year.

At Memorial Park Golf Course, the 18-year-old posted an opening three-under-par 69 to claim a place in the top-10 at The Chevron Championship. A one-under 71 on day two ensured she made the cut on what was her LPGA Tour debut.

She added weekend rounds of 72 and 76 to finish in joint 38th place on even-par 288. In so doing, she’ll improve her standing in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) in which she began last week in 33rd position.

Yang’s performance earned her a share of low amateur honours with WAGR number four Farah O’Keefe, part of the American team that topped the standings at last year’s World Amateur Team Championships for the Espirito Santo Trophy in Singapore.

With her victory in the WAAP at New Zealand’s Royal Wellington in mid-February, Yang secured exemptions into three of the LPGA Tour’s five Major championships this season – the AIG Women’s Open in England, The Amundi Evian Championship in France and The Chevron Championship in America. 

With her WAAP victory, she also earned her first point on the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP). At The Chevron Championship she was awarded another point for making the cut. That means she’s now 18 points away from the 20-point threshold required to be eligible for LPGA Tour Membership, per LEAP criteria.

Yang, who first made waves in America at the start of April when she tied for fourth at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, said the Chevron appearance was invaluable.

She said: “It was a good experience being able to play at the LPGA with the best players. I think I learned a lot. My first goal was making the cut. Then it was to play well and make top-20.”