Noh Seung-hee Stages Dramatic Comeback to Clinch KLPGA The Heaven Masters Title
Noh Seung-hee Overcomes Six-Shot Deficit and Wins in Playoff with Clutch Birdie Putt Lee Da-yeon Misses Out on First Victory in Two Years After Missed Playoff Opportunity
(MHN Yoon Jiwon) Noh Seung-hee captured an electrifying victory at the final round of the KLPGA Tour’s The Heaven Masters on June 22, held at The Heaven Country Club in Daebudo, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.
Facing a six-stroke deficit earlier in the day, Noh rallied with an impressive bogey-free round, carding six birdies to tie Lee Da-yeon at a total score of 13-under par. The tie at the top led to a tense playoff, held on the par-5 18th hole. There, Noh clinched her win with a spectacular six-meter birdie putt, sealing her comeback in dramatic fashion.
This triumph marks Noh’s first win in over a year and the third title of her career. The victory is particularly meaningful, coming as her second playoff success since the OK Savings Bank Open in September 2023 and helping her move past the disappointment of missing out on last year’s playoff at the KG Ladies Open. Noh’s win brings her season tally to three titles in the past 13 months, accompanied by a winner’s prize of 180 million KRW.
Lee Da-yeon, who finished with two birdies and two bogeys for an even-par 72, narrowly missed her chance for victory. After completing her round ahead of Lee, Noh watched as Lee’s final 2.5-meter birdie putt on the 18th hole failed to drop, sending the duel into a playoff that ultimately went Noh’s way. Lee, who was seeking her first title since the Hana Financial Group Championship in September 2023, will have to wait for another chance.
Lim Hee-jung finished third at 12-under par 204 after firing a five-under 67 in the final round. Lee Dong-eun, winner of last week’s DB Group Korea Women’s Open, settled for a tie for sixth at 10-under par 206. Last year’s champion Bae So-hyun finished in a tie for 34th at two-under par 214.
Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”
Photo = MHN Park Tae-seong