South Korean golfer Hye-Jin Choi produced one of the most remarkable scoring stretches of the 2026 BMW Ladies Championship, making an eagle and seven birdies over her first 11 holes before late mistakes left her four shots behind leader Haeran Ryu heading into Sunday’s final round.
HAENAM, SOUTH KOREA — Hye-Jin Choi delivered an extraordinary start to the third round of the BMW Ladies Championship on Saturday, October 24, shooting a six-under-par 66 to move into a three-way tie for second place at Pine Beach Golf Links.
The 27-year-old South Korean opened with a breathtaking eight-under-par 28 on the front nine, briefly taking control of the leaderboard as heavy rain affected conditions.
Choi continued her charge with a birdie at the 10th hole, moving to nine-under for the day through 11 holes.
However, a series of late mistakes prevented her from turning the exceptional start into an even lower score.
She finished the third round at 13-under-par overall, alongside compatriot Minji Park and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida.
Haeran Ryu retained the lead at 17-under-par after shooting a four-under 68, leaving Choi four strokes behind entering the championship’s final 18 holes.
Hye-Jin Choi Makes Spectacular Start With Front-Nine 28
Choi began Saturday’s round aggressively, taking advantage of scoring opportunities despite the difficult weather.
She made birdie at the opening hole before adding consecutive birdies at the third and fourth.
One of the round’s defining moments arrived at the par-five sixth, where Choi holed a bunker shot for eagle.
The spectacular recovery immediately strengthened her position on the leaderboard.
Rather than slowing down, Choi continued her birdie run with gains at the seventh, eighth and ninth holes.
Her remarkable front-nine 28 included six birdies, one eagle and two pars.
The performance brought her into serious contention for the tournament lead.
Choi then made another birdie at the par-four 10th, extending her advantage over Ryu to two strokes during the early stages of the back nine.
At that point, she was nine-under for the round and appeared capable of producing an exceptionally low score.
Late Mistakes Deny Choi an Even Lower Score
Although Choi’s opening stretch was outstanding, the final seven holes proved more difficult.
Her momentum slowed at the par-five 12th after her ball finished in a fairway bunker.
She eventually made bogey, surrendering one of the strokes gained during her early scoring run.
Another bogey followed at the 15th, although Choi responded immediately with a birdie at the 16th.
The most damaging moment arrived at the par-five 17th.
After a fairway-wood approach ended in a hazard beside the green, Choi struggled to recover and eventually recorded a double-bogey seven.
The costly hole reduced her chances of entering the final round alongside the leader.
She completed her round with a six-under 66, still one of Saturday’s notable performances.
However, her final score told only part of the story.
Choi had demonstrated an ability to produce extraordinary attacking golf before a handful of mistakes changed the leaderboard.
Haeran Ryu Finishes Strongly to Maintain Four-Shot Lead
While Choi experienced difficulties late in her round, Haeran Ryu delivered an impressive finish to extend her advantage.
Ryu, who entered Saturday holding the overnight lead, began more cautiously than her fellow South Korean.
She made her first birdie at the sixth hole and remained within reach of the chasing players throughout much of the day.
A bogey at the par-three 15th threatened to slow her progress.
However, Ryu responded by making birdies on each of her final three holes.
Her closing run produced a four-under 68 and lifted her to 17-under-par 199 after 54 holes.
The performance restored her four-stroke advantage over the nearest challengers.
Ryu, the winner of two major championships in 2026, is seeking another LPGA Tour title in front of her home supporters.
BMW Ladies Championship 2026 Leaderboard After Round Three
| Position | Player | Country | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haeran Ryu | South Korea | -17 |
| T2 | Hye-Jin Choi | South Korea | -13 |
| T2 | Minji Park | South Korea | -13 |
| T2 | Yuri Yoshida | Japan | -13 |
Leaderboard reflects completed third-round scores on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Minji Park produced one of the lowest rounds of the day, shooting a seven-under 65 to join the group at 13-under.
Japan’s Yuri Yoshida remained among the leading contenders after posting a four-under 68.
The trio now face the challenge of reducing Ryu’s advantage during Sunday’s final round.
Despite the four-stroke gap, low scores remain possible at Pine Beach Golf Links, as demonstrated by Saturday’s performances.
Heavy Rain Creates Difficult Conditions at Pine Beach Golf Links
The third round was played under challenging weather conditions, with persistent rain affecting the course throughout the day.
Tournament officials used roller squeegees to remove standing water from the putting surfaces.
The difficult conditions also slowed play, with several of the final groups requiring approximately six hours to complete their rounds.
Choi nevertheless adapted impressively during the opening nine holes.
Her early success suggested that players could still create birdie opportunities through accurate approach shots and confident putting.
However, the rain added another challenge to a course already demanding careful decision-making.
The conditions were particularly relevant on the par-five holes, where players had to balance aggressive approaches against the possibility of difficult recovery shots.
Choi’s double bogey at the 17th illustrated how quickly a promising position could change.
Choi Still Searching for First LPGA Tour Victory
Saturday’s performance carries additional significance because Choi is still pursuing her first LPGA Tour victory as a member.
She entered the BMW Ladies Championship following another near-miss at the Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament in China.
Last Sunday, October 18, Choi finished second behind China’s Ruoning Yin after leading through each of the opening three rounds.
She closed with a one-under 71 but finished one stroke short of the winning total.
According to LPGA Tour records, Choi has held or shared the lead after 54 holes on five occasions without converting those opportunities into a victory.
Her consistency has nevertheless established her as a regular contender in professional women’s golf.
The South Korean recorded five top-10 finishes during her first 23 LPGA starts of 2026.
Her career also includes extensive experience representing South Korea in international competition.
The BMW Ladies Championship offers another opportunity to pursue the breakthrough victory that has narrowly escaped her in previous tournaments.
Unlike Shanghai, Choi enters Sunday’s final round as a challenger rather than the leader.
That change could allow her to attack scoring opportunities while Ryu manages the pressure of protecting a four-shot advantage.
BMW Ladies Championship Enters Final Round With $2.35 Million Purse
The 2026 BMW Ladies Championship is taking place from October 22 to 25 at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, South Korea.
The tournament forms part of the LPGA Tour’s late-season Asian schedule and features a total purse of $2.35 million.
The event also offers important Race to CME Globe points as players approach the final tournaments of the season.
For Choi, the championship is an opportunity to compete for a first LPGA victory in her home country.
For Ryu, it presents the possibility of adding another title to an already successful 2026 campaign.
Defending champion Sei Young Kim has struggled to reproduce her winning form from last year.
Kim shot a five-over 77 on Saturday, leaving her at even par for the tournament after 54 holes.
Can Hye-Jin Choi Challenge Haeran Ryu on Sunday?
The final round is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, with Choi beginning four strokes behind Ryu.
Her third-round performance highlighted both the potential and risks involved in attacking Pine Beach Golf Links.
An eight-under front nine demonstrated that Choi can produce scoring bursts capable of rapidly changing the leaderboard.
However, the mistakes that followed also showed the importance of managing difficult situations.
Ryu’s late birdie run means the leader has a significant advantage entering the final day.
Choi will need another strong performance while hoping Ryu leaves opportunities for the chasing group.
Park and Yoshida are equally well positioned to challenge for second place or potentially close the gap to the lead.
For South Korean golf supporters, the possibility of a home winner adds further interest to Sunday’s conclusion.
Choi’s first LPGA title remains within reach, although the four-shot deficit presents a substantial challenge.
Whatever happens in the final round, her spectacular front-nine 28 will remain one of the defining performances of Saturday’s action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Hye-Jin Choi shoot at the BMW Ladies Championship?
Choi shot a six-under-par 66 in the third round on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
How low was Hye-Jin Choi’s front-nine score?
She shot an eight-under-par 28 on the front nine, featuring six birdies, one eagle and two pars.
What position is Hye-Jin Choi in after three rounds?
Choi is tied for second place at 13-under-par, four strokes behind leader Haeran Ryu.
Who leads the BMW Ladies Championship 2026?
Haeran Ryu leads at 17-under-par after three rounds, following scores of 67, 64 and 68.
Has Hye-Jin Choi won an LPGA Tour event?
As of October 24, 2026, Choi is still seeking her first LPGA Tour victory as a member.
When is the BMW Ladies Championship final round?
The final round is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Pine Beach Golf Links in South Korea.