South Korean Lee Mi-rim has picked up her third career LPGA Tour title in California.
Lee cruised to a six-shot victory over two players at the Kia Classic at the par-72 Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California, on Sunday (local time). She began the final round nursing a one-stroke lead over fellow South Korean Hur Mi-jung at 13-under, but poured in five birdies on the front nine in the final round to pull away from the pack.
Lee carded a bogey-free round of seven-under 65 on Sunday for the four-day total of 20-under 268, and cashed in U$270,000. Lee tied the tournament record set by Cristie Kerr in 2015. South Korean Ryu So-yeon and Austin Ernst of the United States tied for second at 14-under.
After picking up birdies at the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth holes, Lee added two more at 15th and 16th for a flawless round.
This was Lee's third LPGA win and her first since winning twice in the 2014 season. She is projected to rise from No. 21 to No. 14 in the next world rankings.
The Kia Classic was the sixth LPGA tournament in 2017, and Lee is already the fourth different South Korean winner of the season.
Last year, six different Koreans combined for nine wins. (Yonhap)
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