Somi Lee & Jin Hee Im Snatch Victory at Dow Championship, Spoiling Lexi Thompson's Comeback Dreams
In one of the most electric finishes of the LPGA season, South Korea’s Somi Lee drained an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to secure a dramatic victory for her and teammate Jin Hee Im at the Dow Championship on Sunday. The win not only marked their first LPGA title on American soil but also dashed what could’ve been a fairytale ending for Lexi Thompson, who was just a putt or two away from snapping her six-year title drought.
Let’s rewind a bit.
Earlier in the final round at Midland Country Club in Michigan, Thompson and her partner Megan Khang had given themselves a real shot at glory. The American duo came storming through the four-ball format with a sizzling 10-under 60—one of the best rounds of the day—to post a clubhouse lead at 20-under 260.
Thompson, determined and fiery as ever, sank an 8-footer on the par-3 18th to set the stage. That left Khang with a 6-foot birdie putt to join the leaderboard summit. She drained it. Game on.
But things got even more thrilling.
Lee and Im were still on the course, one shot back. Lee came through clutch with a 10-foot birdie on the 17th to tie the leaders. Suddenly, the Korean tandem had the opportunity to end it in regulation—but neither could convert their birdie looks on the 18th, pushing the tournament into extra holes.
Now, here’s where it gets wild.
The playoff format switched gears—from four-ball to alternate shot (foursomes). And the nerves? They were very, very real.
Thompson stepped up first, sending her tee shot right of the pin on the 18th—within just 5 feet. That shot was a dagger. It felt like the Americans might have the edge. But Im countered by hitting her team’s approach just 8 feet long of the cup. And then, with absolute ice in her veins, Somi Lee buried it. One putt. One title.
Khang had one final shot to force another playoff hole—a 5-footer that just never had the line. Low side all the way. And with that miss, the trophy belonged to Lee and Im.
🏆 “I can’t believe it,” Lee said moments after making the winning putt, her voice full of emotion and disbelief.
The Winning Duo: South Korea's Silent Assassins
This was a landmark win for Somi Lee and Jin Hee Im, who are just in their second year on the LPGA Tour. While they’ve been grinding and quietly climbing the ranks on the U.S. circuit, these two are no strangers to success. Im has already racked up six titles on the Korean LPGA Tour (KLPGA), and Lee boasts five of her own. But this—winning in the U.S.—this was different.
It was personal. It was historic. And it just might be the launchpad for something even bigger.
Lexi’s Road Back Still Has Detours
For Lexi Thompson, this week felt like a glimmer of the old days—when her name atop a leaderboard was routine. But as fate would have it, that elusive victory continues to hover just out of reach.
The last time Thompson held up a trophy? Way back in 2019 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Since then, she’s played with heart, faced pressure, and even cut back her schedule, choosing last year to stop competing full-time. The Dow Championship marked only her eighth event of 2025.
When asked about her next tournament, Thompson was non-committal. With the Evian Championship in France (a major she's skipped annually since 2019) just around the corner, it’s unclear if fans will see her tee it up again soon.
Still, Megan Khang was optimistic about their performance, even in defeat.
“Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played,” said Khang.
Other Notables in the Mix
The leaderboard wasn’t short on firepower or surprises.
Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang absolutely caught fire in the final round, carding a jaw-dropping 59 in the four-ball format. That eye-popping round propelled them into a tie for third—just two shots behind the leaders. They shared the podium spot with the European duo of Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who had a solid 64 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel—who held the 54-hole lead—struggled to find a spark. Their final-round 66 wasn’t enough, especially after they failed to birdie any of their last seven holes. They slipped to fifth place, three strokes off the pace.
A Unique Event with a Unique Format
The Dow Championship stands out on the LPGA calendar as the only official team event—and it always brings a fun twist to the season. With four-ball and alternate shot formats, players rely heavily on chemistry, strategy, and, yes, nerves of steel.
It’s not just about one player getting hot—it’s about team rhythm, mutual trust, and the ability to make big-time plays when it counts. And this week, no one did it better than Lee and Im.
A Few Final Takeaways:
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Somi Lee's final birdie putt was the shot of the tournament—a clutch dagger that sealed the deal in overtime.
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Lexi Thompson’s quest for a win continues, but this runner-up finish could be the momentum she needs heading into the back half of the season—if she chooses to play.
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The Korean duo’s victory shows that the new wave of LPGA talent is global—and fierce.
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The unique team format once again delivered drama, showcasing why fans and players alike look forward to this annual event.
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