Sei Young Kim, leader since the second round remained solid until the last putt on Sunday, winning her first Grand Slam title in the 66th KPMG Women's PGA Championship. The South Korean signed an impressive final lap 63 (-7) devoid of any bogey. Céline Boutier finished in 37th place (+7) after posting a third consecutive 71 (+1). Perrine Delacour finished 59th at +11 after a final lap in 75 (+5).

KPMG Women's PGA Chp: Sei Young Kim wins

© Darren Carroll / PGA of America

The 27-year-old South Korean with an aggressive game held on to the end. Sei Young Kim, finished with a total score of -14 (266), on the very challenging Aronimink Golf Club, 5 strokes ahead of his compatriot, Inbee Park (three-time winner of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship between 2013 and 2015). The Japanese Nasa Hataoka and the Spanish Carlota Ciganda completed the podium at -7 (273).

This is the eleventh victory on the LPGA Tour, but the first Major title for Sei Young Kim. Second at the 2018 Evian Championship and fourth at the ANA Inspiration and the 2018 Women's British Open, Kim won the $ 1,5 million bounty last November at the end of season event in Naples, Florida. It was the biggest win in LPGA history. No, she hasn't done any foolishness yet. Although this victory was momentous, it was not the most important for her.

Kim became the 18th South Korean player to win a major. Kim's dream of winning a first Slam title, like so many South Koreans, began with Se Ri Pak's victory at that same tournament in 1998, though she admitted on Sunday that she "didn't know that it would take that long ”.

Since 1998, the South Koreans have won 33 major titles, including two this year. Kim follows in the footsteps of ANA Inspiration winner Mirim Lee as a major winner for the first time.

“I'm so excited,” a beaming Kim said beside her heavy trophy. "I'm really hiding my tears for now."

It was around 3:30 a.m. in South Korea when Kim first spoke to her father on a computer near the media flash area. Her parents had already received so many phone calls that they unplugged the home phone.

One of Kim's parents usually travels with her, but both have decided to stay home this year.

Of course, Kim isn't really alone in America. Her caddy Paul Fusco has been by her side since getting her LPGA Q-School card in 2014. When it was over on Sunday, it was hard to tell which of them had the biggest smile.

"Today is the first time that I find her as she really is", said Fusco, "Which means that she took the information she needed and then put herself in her bubble". Fusco said. Over the weekend, Kim only called him twice a day to comment on the putting lines.

The duo decided earlier this week to take a simplified approach to the demanding design of Donald Ross, which Kim executed to perfection on Sunday. She was confident and engaged, touching 15 greens in regulation, making seven birdies and needing only 26 putts.

"In the past, when she came to compete for a Grand Slam title she said: 'I really want a victory over a major'", said Fusco, “Which is great and normal. But you can't play it that way. This is the first week she relaxes and lets things come to her. "

To top off a dream day at the KPMG, Kim returns home with a bonus of $ 645 which brings her career earnings to $ 000.

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Sei Young Kim leader, the French pass the cut of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship