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Kim Sei-young closes out Blue Bay LPGA for 3rd victory

November 2, 2015

Kim Sei-young of South Korea holds her trophy after winning the Blue Bay LPGA in Hainan Island, China on Nov. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

By Brian Han

Four players.

Of the 80 golfers competing at the Blue Bay LPGA in China, that’s how many were able to post an under-par total.

A rare occurrence considering that last week’s winner Lydia Ko posted a winning score of 20-under while posting a 4-over just this week. It’s a testament to just how tough the Jian Lake course was playing.

So when South Korea’s Kim Sei-young drained a six-footer for birdie on the final regulation hole of the tournament Sunday, it made her winning putt that much more impressive.

“I was like really nervous on the last putt,” Kim told reporters after the round. “I can hear my heart pound.”

It didn’t matter. The 22-year-old rookie channeled those nerves into focus resulting in her best round of the week.

She hit 11 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens in regulation on Sunday far exceeding her performance in any other round.

The 22-year-old rookie won by a single stroke over three other players, most notably American Stacy Lewis.

“This year my target was just three wins, so I feel very fulfilled,” she said.

Now that she’s reached her goal for the season, Kim’s already setting a new bar for herself.

“The first goal is Olympic gold medal. Then my next goal is No. 1,” Kim said.

The victory vaulted her world ranking from 11th to seventh, which could very well secure her position for the Rookie of the Year award as the season draws to a close.

She is now fourth on the money list at $1,727,436.

Despite a 4-over finish for world No. 1 Lydia Ko, it was still good enough to get her a tied-for-eighth finish.

Like many of the other players, she was ready to leave the unforgiving course as soon as possible.

“I’m happy that everything’s over and I can relax and go back home,” Ko said.