Yoonina’s Rise: How a Major 4th Place Finish is Changing Her LPGA Journey

After tying for fourth — her best finish in a major — at the Chevron Championship that wrapped on the 26th (local time), Ina Yoon woke just after 2 a.m. the next morning to catch an early flight to Ohio. She wasn’t bound for Mexico, the LPGA’s next stop; she was flying across the U.S. to do something unusual: serve as a caddie’s caddie.

On the 28th (local time) at Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio, Yoon carried the bag for caddie Kevin Benstead (USA) as he competed in a US Open local qualifier. It was only an 18-hole day, but Yoon saw the role reversal as a chance to better understand a caddie’s job and mindset — and as a show of loyalty. Her regular caddie Kevin previously competed on PGA China.

It was a whirlwind major week for Yoon, and the third round was likely the toughest stretch. After the tournament she agreed to an unexpected interview with Golfweek, then stayed behind to practice alone on the driving range after the other players had left. For a competitor, making time for interviews is rarely easy — and this one, conducted with a translator and lasting nearly 30 minutes, was particularly draining both mentally and physically. The Golfweek reporter even acknowledged that doing the interview the day before the final wasn’t “the ideal time,” and noted Yoon’s agreement — a hint of the reporter’s regret. That context makes her tie for fourth in a major all the more impressive.

Yoon’s numbers this season show she’s establishing herself among the LPGA’s top players. She climbed 14 spots in the world rankings, from No. 53 to No. 39. Breaking back into the top 50 gives her a solid platform to push toward the world top 10.

Her season stats are eye-catching: fifth in scoring average (70.29), sixth in earnings ($793,478), and 14th in CME Points (571.41) — credentials befitting a rising LPGA star. She’s already surpassed her totals from last year, when she finished 63rd in money ($566,970) and 63rd in CME Points (495.59).

Technical metrics suggest an even brighter future. Yoon ranks 12th in driving distance (280.91 yards), a natural mark for Korea’s longest hitters. She’s even stronger in greens in regulation, sitting 11th at 73.61%. While she ranks 71st in putts per round (29.61), her performance after hitting the green is elite — she averages just 1.75 putts on greens-in-regulation, good for 17th.

It was only a matter of time before Yoon’s backstory resurfaced. That it didn’t happen last year suggested she hadn’t yet put together standout results. Now, more than a year after her debut, the renewed attention is clear: people are starting to take her seriously.

The recognition is a rite of passage she had to pass through, and it may ease some of the pressure. What Yoon needs most now is the kind of encouragement and support from golf fans that fuels a player’s rise to the very top.