Danielle Kang wins first major at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Danielle Kang

Danielle Kang birdied the final hole to win her first major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. 

Kang two-putted her way to victory on the par-five 18th hole at Olympia Fields to card a three-under-par 68 and finish a single shot clear of defending champion Brooke Henderson.

The 24-year-old began the round in a share of the top spot with Chella Choi, but Choi was unable to do better than a level par 71 during the final round to end up third for the tournament. 

Kang birdied her very first hole to gain initial momentum, but quickly faltered with a bogey on the second and a string of pars before posting a second bogey on the 10th. 

Despite the two dropped shots, Kang then went on to birdie her next four holes in a row to move three clear of the chasing pack, only for Henderson to card back-to-back birdies on her final two holes to set the target at 12-under-par. 

A final bogey came on the 17th hole for Kang to level the scores, leaving the American in need of a birdie or better to ensure victory. She put her second on to the green to set up an eagle chance, but a birdie was enough to secure the trophy. 

“Having a major championship in my resume, I don’t know what it will do,” Kang said. “But I do know that having the U.S. Amateur as majors, and having a major win, it’s amazing.”