South Korean Seo Hee-kyung has claimed her first LPGA victory, winning the $1.7 million Kia Classic in the United States, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.
The 24-year-old hit two under par in the final round Sunday (local time) to top the leaderboard with a 12-under 276 in Carlsbad, Calif., routing compatriot Park In-bee, who finished six under.
Seo, the 2009 Player of the Year at the Korean women's golf tour with five wins, became the 19th golfer to win a title as a non-LPGA member.
Leading the third round by five strokes, she maintained the lead with six birdies and safely grabbed the trophy to earn the winner's prize of $255,000.
Seo, who made the KLPGA debut in 2006, lifted the first trophy in 2008 and has won a total of 11 victories in the past two years.
Last year, she topped the official money list with 663.7 million won ($582,000) and won the tour-leading five wins. She has said that she would not join the U.S. LPGA tour until she reaches 20 wins in the KLPGA.
With the victory at the KIA Classic, she secured a full-time LPGA spot next year.
Runner-up Park, the 2008 U.S. Open winner, soared to second place with six-under 282 from 24th after hitting seven-under in the fourth round alone.
Last year's Rookie of the Year Shin Ji-yai and Lee Jee-young, both of South Korea, and Candie Kung of Taiwan tied third with five-under and Kim Song-hee ranked 10th with three-under.