Lee Mi-hyang wins Mizuno Classic for first LPGA title

Lee Mi-hyang, who has adorable looks, is of a sunny temperament. She earned just 69,000 U.S. dollars on the LPGA circuit last year but she donated 1,000 dollars to local disadvantaged people. She also delivered a scholarship to her alma mater.

Volvik Golf Balls Chairman Moon Kyung-ahn said, "I have been seeing Lee since her childhood and our company has willingly sponsored her. I wanted to help cheerful Mi-hyang to be happy while playing golf.

Lee has won her first tournament on Sunday, three years after her debut on the LPGA tour. Her previous best finish was joint sixth at the Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing in September.

Lee defeated Lee Il-hee and Kotono Kozuma in the third and final round of the Mizuno Classic held at the Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club to win after a close contest, going to a fifth playoff hole. Lee Mi-hyang will take home 180,000 dollars for prize money.

Lee started out on the third round at joint fourth, one shot behind the leader, then cut down three shots to complete the round at 11-under-par 205 and went into a playoff with Lee Il-hee and Kozuma.

The three players all scored par on the first and second playoffs at the 18th hole (405 yards) and in the third playoff, they all got birdies. They all posted par in the fourth playoff. In the final fifth playoff, Lee Mi-hyang shot her second shot to 60 centimeters near the hole, easily getting a birdie to win. Her win is the 10th by Korean women in the LPGA tour this year.

Aside from Lee Mi-hyang, players sponsored by Volvik ranked high in this tournament as Lee Il-hee came in second place and Choi Un-jeong finished joint fourth.