Yuna Nishimura celebrated her inaugural victory on the LPGA Tour by leading from start to finish at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, a tournament that took an unexpected turn when England’s Lottie Woad withdrew during the final round. Entering the Sunday round at Pinnacle Country Club, Nishimura already held a comfortable five‑stroke cushion over the field, a lead she had built after posting consecutive rounds of 63.
She reinforced her dominance with a solid five‑under‑par 66, sealing a five‑stroke triumph that left her competitors scrambling to catch up. The 26‑year‑old Japanese golfer showcased a balanced mix of aggressive play and steady consistency. She carded an eagle on the demanding par‑five 14th hole, then followed that spectacular moment with a series of five birdies and two bogeys across the remainder of her round. Her performance created a clear gap between her and the trio tied for second place—Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen, and In Gee Chun—each of whom finished three strokes behind.
Reflecting on the pressure of maintaining a five‑shot lead, Nishimura said, “Having such a margin can feel intimidating, but I trusted my game and kept pushing until the very end. I’ve missed a lot of cuts this season, so winning this event is a huge surprise and truly a dream come true for me.” Iwai had been the most aggressive challenger, rattling the leaderboard after a flawless 62 that featured six birdies in a span of seven holes, all without a single bogey.
Wannasaen posted a 64 and Chun a 65, both finishing at 16 under par, while England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff lingered a stroke further back after three steady rounds of 66, sharing fifth place. The day also produced memorable moments for other players. Yealimi Noh recorded her first LPGA Tour hole‑in‑one, sinking a nine‑iron from 136 yards on the par‑three 15th. Meanwhile, Mao Saigo demonstrated her long‑game precision by holing a seven‑iron from 159 yards on the par‑three third hole.
Lottie Woad’s day ended abruptly. Starting six shots behind the leader, she found herself five over par when she chose to withdraw due to illness shortly after an errant drive that landed out of bounds on the par‑five 14th. Her Solheim Cup teammate, Julia Lopez Ramirez, ultimately finished seven strokes behind the winner, sharing eighth place, while Charley Hull slipped to a tie for 22nd after posting a final‑round 70. In parallel news from the Ladies European Tour, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander added another trophy to her collection, capturing her third LET title—and her second in just a month—by prevailing by three strokes at the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open.
Alexander, a 27‑year‑old who has already finished runner‑up five times this season, posted a three‑under‑par 69 on the final day at Golf Club Milano, edging out Germany’s Sophie Hausmann and American rookie Anna Morgan. Alexander’s final round was a roller‑coaster of highs and lows: she recorded an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and a double‑bogey, but her ability to rebound after early setbacks proved decisive. The victory followed her triumph at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open just a month earlier, underscoring a remarkable surge in form. “I’m pleased I didn’t have to wait as long for this win as I did for the previous one,” Alexander remarked.
“My game feels right for winning tournaments, and I’m excited about the rest of the season and the chances that lie ahead.” She entered the final round tied for the lead, fell four strokes behind after the first five holes, then clawed back with an eagle on the par‑five ninth. A strong finish—three birdies in the last four holes—allowed her to pull away and secure the championship.
Alexander’s success bolsters her position atop the LET Order of Merit, widening the gap over challenger 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 begin Thursday at Ewa Beach on Oahu. Live coverage will commence on Friday at 1 a.m. via Sky Sports Golf.
Meanwhile, the Ladies European Tour will head to Asia for the Aramco Korea Championship, scheduled for October 8‑11, where Hyo‑Joo Kim returns as the defending champion. Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or enjoy contract‑free streaming on NOW.
Overall, the weekend delivered a blend of triumph, surprise withdrawals, and historic milestones, highlighting the depth of talent across both the LPGA and LET circuits and setting the stage for more exciting competition in the weeks to come.