Hye-Jin Choi’s LPGA Win Wait Nine Near-Misses Ahead Of Malaysia Return

Hye-Jin Choi doesn’t need another reminder that she can contend on the LPGA Tour. She needs a Sunday that ends with a trophy.

The 27-year-old South Korean heads to this week’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia after consecutive runner-up finishes, still pursuing a first LPGA victory despite a resume that suggests the breakthrough should’ve happened long ago.

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Her latest opportunity disappeared Sunday at the BMW Ladies Championship, where a birdie on the final hole would’ve earned her a playoff against Yuri Yoshida. Choi couldn’t convert, finishing alongside Haeran Ryu at 16 under, one stroke behind the Japanese winner.

It was Choi’s 125th career LPGA appearance and ninth runner-up result. A week earlier, she’d finished one shot behind Ruoning Yin at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Those results leave Choi balancing two realities: She’s playing well enough to win, and each close call adds another disappointment to overcome.

“If I remain patient my time will come,” Choi said before the BMW tournament.

There’s evidence to support that confidence. Choi has earned more than $7 million on the LPGA and collected 12 KLPGA titles, including two as an amateur. Winning itself isn’t unfamiliar. Winning on this tour remains the missing piece.

Her history makes the wait particularly striking.

At 17, Choi nearly captured the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur. Tied for the lead approaching the closing holes, she found water with her tee shot at the par-3 16th and made double bogey. She recovered to finish alone in second behind Sung Hyun Park.

Nine years later, she’s still looking for the LPGA celebration that appeared so close that afternoon.

According to Elias Sports Bureau figures reported by Golfweek, Choi’s nine seconds are the most since 1981 among players without an LPGA victory.

That distinction doesn’t mean nine runner-up finishes prevent an eventual breakthrough: Canada’s Lorie Kane accumulated nine before winning the 2000 Michelob Classic.

Now Choi returns to another course associated with unfinished business.

At last year’s Maybank Championship, she reached a three-player playoff with Hannah Green and eventual champion Miyu Yamashita. It remains her only LPGA playoff defeat.

This year’s tournament runs Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s West Course, offering an immediate opportunity to turn recent contention into something more lasting.

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Choi’s approach remains hopeful.

“Last time at this event I played well so my journey towards a win continues,” she said.