LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOAKALEI

October 4, 2025

Youmin Hwang

Hoakalei Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: O- joining me here after the final round of the LOTTE Championship is our 2025 winner, Youmin Hwang. How does it feel to be a winner on the LPGA Tour?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So this is my dream. Finally I achieved my dream here at the LOTTE Championship, and I also very much look forward to my future as well in the LPGA.

Q. You were a sponsor invite this week. How important is it for to you represent LOTTE in this way?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So first I would like to express my deepest gratitude for LOTTE for inviting me. I think it's all the more meaningful that I can play and also win the tournament sponsored by LOTTE, my sponsor as well.

Q. You mentioned earlier in the week that you want to play on the LPGA Tour. How does this week show that you can compete against the best in the world?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So it was an honor for me that I can play with strong players in the LPGA league and I actually watched their play on the green and also learned a lot.

Personally, I really tried myself to perform well.

Q. You're the fourth Korean to win at the LOTTE Championship, joining Sei Young Kim, Hyo Joo Kim, and A Lim Kim. What does it mean to be listed among those winners?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So it is good to see Korean players win the championship, but I'm here today so it's truly meaningful for me to be able to stand alongside those Korean winners.

Q. How have those winners and other Korean players helped to mentor or inspire you?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So Hyo Joo Kim, especially, is a senior player whom I've always respected and admired and she's kind of my mentor. It's really good that I can stand alongside here as well.

Q. You did the hula dance on the 18th green. How was that?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So I thought hula dance was easy to dance and perform, but it was quite difficult and I was a little nervous and shy at first. But I really tried hard to follow the dancers.

Q. Congrats. What are your emotions like knowing you've secured LPGA membership whether this year or next year?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) I can't believe yet that this is my first victory in the LPGA Tour. So still I cannot believe that I am the champion this year at the LOTTE Championship.

Q. As you were preparing in your career, now 22 years old, won twice on the KLPGA. When did you think this victory in an LPGA might happen for you?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So before I joined this LOTTE Championship, I didn't think I can be the winner this year. But after playing second round I thought, I might can be the winner if I focus on my play, my own play.

Q. What happened with the birdies on the last -- four of the last five holes or five of the last six? I can't remember now. What would you say spurred that run of birdies?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So I think I barely felt anything. I cannot think of anything. I just tried really to focus on each hole. I did my play.

Q. Did you feel like you were trying to be maybe more aggressive and taking some chances to try and catch the leaders?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) So just for the last hole, 18th hole, I thought I might -- I will play a little aggressively, then I could make my second shot on the green.

Q. Okay. To know that you're part of history, what does that mean? Because there is no -- you're the 26th different winner on Tour this year; no multiple winners. What is that like for you?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) I still cannot believe that I am the champion this year. As you just mentioned, we have a different winner every year. Maybe I will be the consecutive winner next year if I try really hard and do my best, so let's see.

Q. Just two more: Will you take up LPGA membership for the rest of this year or wait until next year?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) I don't have any planning yet but I think I need it talk to my team as well. Maybe not yet.

Q. Okay. And then lastly, as you win here in the U.S. golf fans here will get to know more about you. What's something you would like them to know about you?

YOUMIN HWANG: (Through translation.) I would like them to recognize me and remember me as a player who really enjoys golf and the game.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Youmin, congratulations.

YOUMIN HWANG: Thank you.