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Hyun Kyung Park wins KLPGA Championship as golf returns in South Korea

Park Hyun-kyung kissing the KLPGA Championship trophy after her victory
Image: Hyun Kyung Park kissing the KLPGA Championship trophy after her victory

Hyun Kyung Park won the KLPGA Championship title on Sunday, as women's golf in South Korea restarted amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Park signed off with a second successive round of 67 to erase a three-shot deficit and triumph by one stroke in the tour's first event since December.

Overnight leader Hee Jeong Lim (71) and Seon Woo Bae (68) shared second place at 16-under 272 in the event played without spectators at the Lakewood Country Club in Yangju.

An emotional Park hugged her father, who was caddying for her, after the winning putt and was showered with petals from her peers who also did elbow bumps in what is likely to be a new normal in sports.

"I was so disappointed not to have been part of that winner's group last year," Park said.

"I am so happy that I got the first win out of the way in the first tournament of the year."

"I don't think the next win will come easily for me. I have to keep trying."

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Hyun-kyung celebrating with her father after the win
Image: Park celebrating with her father after the win

The Lakewood Country Club was open only to players, caddies, officials and media, as Park secured her maiden KLPGA victory in her second year on the tour.

Caddies wore masks, players dined separately, and fist and elbow bumps replaced post-round hugs and handshakes over the last four days.

Next month's men's Korea Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, was cancelled on Friday owing to the pandemic.

South Korea on Sunday reported five new domestic cases of coronavirus, raising fears of a fresh wave of contagion after weeks of nearly no new domestic cases.

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