Sei Young Kim Squanders 8-Shot Lead at LA Championship

The South Korean star saw her commanding advantage dwindle to just 2 strokes heading into the final round.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sei Young Kim had an 8-stroke lead with 5 holes to play at the JM Eagle LA Championship, but a late meltdown with 4 straight bogeys allowed other players like Hannah Green and Patty Tavatanakit to get back into contention. Kim ended up holding a 2-stroke lead heading into the final round at El Caballero Country Club.

Why it matters

Kim's collapse highlights the unpredictable nature of golf, where even the most dominant players can suddenly lose their edge. This dramatic turn of events sets up an exciting final round showdown between several top LPGA stars before the first major of the season.

The details

Kim birdied the 1st and all the other odd-numbered holes on the front nine to build an 8-stroke lead. But she struggled with the windy conditions on the back nine, making 4 straight bogeys on holes 14-17 to see her advantage shrink to just 2 strokes. Green, a 2-time winner of this event, is now tied for 2nd along with Suvichaya Vinijchaitham, Jessica Porvasnik, and Ina Yoon, all 2 shots back of Kim.

  • Kim had an 8-stroke lead with 5 holes left on Saturday.
  • The final round will take place on Sunday.

The players

Sei Young Kim

A 33-year-old South Korean golfer with 13 LPGA Tour titles, including the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Hannah Green

A 2-time winner of the JM Eagle LA Championship, having won the event in 2023 and 2024.

Patty Tavatanakit

A former UCLA star who is 1 stroke behind the leaders heading into the final round.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Oh, wow, it feels like roller-coaster”

— Sei Young Kim, Golfer

“It's golf. It can be happen again. It's learn and then learn and learn. Mistake and then learn. Hopefully, success end of the day tomorrow.”

— Sei Young Kim, Golfer

“I'm just going to go out there and play golf.”

— Patty Tavatanakit, Golfer

What’s next

The final round of the JM Eagle LA Championship will take place on Sunday, with Sei Young Kim holding a 2-stroke lead over a group of chasers including Hannah Green and Patty Tavatanakit.

The takeaway

Kim's dramatic collapse on the back nine shows that even the most dominant players can struggle to maintain a big lead in golf. This sets up an exciting final round showdown between several top LPGA stars before the first major of the season, with the winner set to claim the highest non-major purse on tour.