Amy Yang Wins First Major at KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Earns Olympics Spot

SAMAMMISH, Wash. — Amy Yang clinched her first major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Sunday, overcoming late-round challenges to secure a three-shot victory. Yang's consistent performance, culminating in an even-par 72 at Sahalee, saw her finish at 7-under 281.

Yang, 34, displayed remarkable control for most of her round, reaching 10-under and holding a seven-shot lead after 15 holes. Despite a couple of late bogeys, none of her competitors could close the gap. This victory makes her the oldest major winner on the LPGA Tour since Angela Stanford won the Amundi Evian Championship in 2018 at age 40.

This triumph marks Yang's sixth LPGA victory and her first since the CME Group Tour Championship last year, which was also the last victory by a South Korean player on the tour. The win secures her a spot in the Paris Olympics, where she will represent South Korea for the third time.

Yang had previously come close to major victories, notably at the 2014 and 2015 U.S. Women’s Opens, where she held the 54-hole lead but failed to convert. This time, Yang maintained her lead despite late-round nerves.

Lilia Vu and Jin Young Ko both shot 71 to tie for second at 4-under. Vu, despite three rounds under par, couldn't recover from a first-round 75.

Yang started the final day with a two-shot lead and extended it with birdies on the 1st, 5th, and 8th holes, making her turn at 9-under. She experienced a minor setback with a bogey on the 10th but quickly rebounded with birdies on the 11th and 13th.

Playing in the final group with Yang, Lauren Hartlage had an opportunity to challenge but faltered with double bogeys on the 7th and 8th holes, finishing tied for fifth at 3-under, her best career finish.

Yang's win was celebrated with a champagne dousing on the 18th green, capping off her long-awaited major victory.