Ina Yoon Poised for Breakthrough Victory at JM Eagle LA Championship
South Korean LPGA rookie finds herself just two shots from the lead, chasing her maiden tour win
Seoul, Korea - South Korea’s rising star Ina Yoon produced a sensational eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the JM Eagle LA Championship at El Caballero Country Club, California, catapulting her into prime position for a first-ever LPGA Tour title.
Yoon, 22, sits in fourth place at 15-under-par 201, just two strokes shy of a tightly bunched leading trio featuring Japan’s Akie Iwai, America's Lauren Coughlin, and Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad, all at 17-under.
After a solid start with consecutive birdies on the opening two holes, Yoon showed her class with an impressive run of three successive birdies from the 7th to the 9th hole. A bogey on the 10th was swiftly offset by a birdie on the 12th, followed by further gains on the 14th, 15th, and 18th to close out a stunning round.
"The warm weather really allowed me to play aggressively," Yoon said. "I went straight at the pins, and having Michael, my caddie, giving me excellent guidance made a huge difference. I've only been working with him for about three weeks, but I trust him completely."
Following mixed results earlier in her debut season—including a missed cut at the Founders Cup and modest finishes elsewhere—this marks a significant breakthrough opportunity for Yoon in just her fifth LPGA start.
"My game is improving every day," she said with a smile. "The LPGA Tour is incredibly exciting. When I first arrived, I was full of excitement and wanted to practice non-stop. Now, I feel free and fully focused on my golf. I'm truly enjoying this life."
Yoon, whose rookie-season ambitions include securing a maiden victory and chasing down the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award, currently ranks seventh in the rookie standings. Victory this week would significantly boost her chances, with current rookie leader, Japan’s Rio Takeda, just one stroke behind at 14-under-par.
Among Yoon’s compatriots, Lee So-mi and Ko Jin-young are tied in 12th place at 11-under, while Lee Mi-hyang, Lee Jeong-eun5, Lee Jeong-eun6, and Lim Jin-hee sit tied 20th at 10-under.
With just one round remaining, Yoon’s impressive ascent through the leaderboard has placed her firmly in the spotlight. She now faces the thrilling challenge of capturing her first victory against a talented international field.