Yuna Nishimura captured her inaugural LPGA Tour triumph with a commanding wire‑to‑wire performance at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, while England’s Lottie Woad was forced to abandon her round midway through the final day. Nishimura entered the Sunday round at Pinnacle Country Club holding a comfortable five‑stroke cushion after posting consecutive rounds of 63. She solidified her lead with a steady 66, finishing five strokes ahead of the nearest competitors and cementing a maiden victory on the tour. The 26‑year‑old Japanese golfer displayed a blend of precision and poise, beginning her final round with an eagle on the par‑five 14th hole.
Over the remainder of the day she recorded five birdies and two bogeys, a scorecard that left her well ahead of a tightly packed group consisting of Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen and In Gee Chun, all of whom shared second place. "Carrying a five‑shot advantage can feel like a heavy burden, but I trusted my game and kept pushing until the very end," Nishimura reflected after the win. "I’ve missed a lot of cuts this season, so to stand here as the champion is both unexpected and a dream realized." Iwai had made a serious push on the back‑nine, stringing together six birdies in seven holes during a flawless 62, but ultimately fell short.
Wannasaen posted a 64 and Chun a 65, each finishing at 16 under par, while England’s Jodi Ewart‑Shadoff trailed by another stroke after a trio of steady 66s secured her a share of fifth place. The round also featured a couple of memorable moments. Yealimi Noh celebrated her first LPGA Tour ace, sinking a nine‑iron from 136 yards on the par‑three 15th.
Likewise, Mao Saigo demonstrated her long‑iron skill by holing a seven‑iron from 159 yards on the par‑three third, adding excitement to an already eventful day. Lottie Woad, who began the final round six shots behind the leader, was forced to withdraw after a bout of illness.
Her decision came shortly after she drove her ball out of bounds on the 14th, a par‑five that proved to be a turning point for her tournament. Woad’s Solheim Cup teammate, Julia Lopez Ramirez, ultimately finished tied for eighth, seven strokes back, while Charley Hull slipped to a tie for 22nd after posting a 70 in the closing round. In a separate highlight, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander added another title to her résumé, clinching her third Ladies European Tour victory – and her second in just a month – with a three‑stroke win at the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open.
Alexander, a five‑time runner‑up on the LET this season, carded a three‑under 69 on the final day at Golf Club Milano, edging out Germany’s Sophie Hausmann and American rookie Anna Morgan. The 27‑year‑old’s final round was a roller‑coaster: she recorded an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and even a double‑bogey, yet managed to hold on for the win.
The victory followed her recent triumph at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, underscoring a period of sustained success. "I’m pleased I didn’t have to wait as long for this one as I did for the previous win," Alexander said.
"My game feels right for winning tournaments, and I’m eager for the rest of the season and the chances it will bring." Alexander entered the Sunday round tied for the lead, fell four shots back after five holes, then rallied with an eagle on the par‑five ninth to re‑establish parity. She finished strongly, adding three birdies in the final four holes to distance herself from the field.
The win bolsters her standing atop the LET Order of Merit, extending her lead over Anna Huang as the season enters its decisive phase. Looking ahead, the LPGA Tour will shift its focus to Hawaii for the Lotte Championship, set to commence Thursday at Ewa Beach on Oahu. Live coverage will begin on Friday at 1 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
Meanwhile, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Asia for the Aramco Korea Championship, scheduled for October 8‑11, where Hyo‑Joo Kim returns as the defending champion. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest Sky Sports offers or stream without a contract on NOW.