Yuna Nishimura captured her inaugural LPGA Tour victory by leading from start to finish at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, while England’s Lottie Woad withdrew partway through the final round. Nishimura entered the concluding day at Pinnacle Country Club with a commanding five‑stroke cushion, having already posted consecutive rounds of 63.
She solidified her dominance with a five‑under‑par 66, sealing a five‑stroke win. The 26‑year‑old Japanese golfer birdied the par‑five 14th with an eagle, and over the remainder of her round she recorded five birdies and two bogeys, distancing herself from a trio of players tied for second place: Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen, and In Gee Chun.
"Holding a five‑shot lead can feel like a heavy burden, but I trusted my game and kept pressing forward," Nishimura reflected. "I missed a lot of cuts earlier this season, so winning this event is a total surprise and a dream realized." Iwai had surged toward the lead after an incredible stretch of six birdies in seven holes, posting a flawless 62.
Wannasaen (64) and Chun (65) were both 16 under par, while England’s Jodi Ewart‑Shadoff lingered a stroke behind them, sharing fifth place after three steady rounds of 66. In other notable moments, Yealimi Noh recorded the first hole‑in‑one of her LPGA career on the 15th, a 136‑yard par‑three, using a nine‑iron.
Likewise, Mao Saigo holed a seven‑iron from 159 yards on the third, also a par‑three. Woad, who began the day six shots off the lead, found herself five over par before withdrawing due to illness, shortly after an errant drive that sent her ball out of bounds on the 14th. Her Solheim Cup teammate, Julia Lopez Ramirez, finished seven strokes back, sharing eighth place. Charley Hull, another English competitor, faded to a tie for 22nd after posting a 70 in the final round.
On the Ladies European Tour, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander added a third LET title – and her second in just a month – by winning the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open with a three‑stroke margin. Alexander, a five‑time runner‑up on the LET this season, carded a three‑under‑par 69 on the final day at Golf Club Milano, edging out Germany’s Sophie Hausmann and American rookie Anna Morgan.
The 27‑year‑old showcased a dramatic round that featured an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and a double‑bogey. Her triumph followed a recent victory at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, underscoring a rapid surge in form. "I’m glad this win didn’t have to wait as long as the previous one," Alexander said. "My game feels right for winning tournaments, and I’m excited about the rest of the season and the chances ahead." Alexander entered the final round tied for the lead, fell four strokes behind after five holes, then clawed back with an eagle on the par‑five ninth.
She finished strongly, delivering three birdies in the last four holes to pull away from the field. The victory bolsters her lead atop the LET Order of Merit, extending her advantage over Anna Huang as the season approaches its climax.
Looking ahead, the LPGA Tour will head to Hawaii for the Lotte Championship at Ewa Beach on Oahu, kicking off Thursday with live coverage beginning Friday at 1 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
Meanwhile, the Ladies European Tour will travel to Asia for the Aramco Korea Championship from October 8‑11, where Hyo‑Joo Kim defends her title. Fans can stay up‑to‑date on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream events without a contract via NOW.
These developments highlight a week of significant milestones: Nishimura’s breakthrough on the LPGA stage, Woad’s unexpected exit, and Alexander’s continued dominance on the LET circuit. Both tours showcase a blend of emerging talent and seasoned competitors, promising compelling storylines as the season progresses toward its final chapters.