Yuna Nishimura captured her inaugural LPGA Tour triumph by leading from start to finish at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, a tournament that turned dramatic when England’s Lottie Woad withdrew partway through the final round. Entering Sunday’s showdown at Pinnacle Country Club, Nishimura held a comfortable five‑stroke advantage after posting consecutive rounds of 63. She solidified her dominance with a five‑under‑par 66 in the concluding round, ultimately sealing a five‑stroke margin of victory.
The 26‑year‑old Japanese golfer showcased a blend of power and precision, notably holing an eagle on the demanding par‑five 14th hole. Over the remainder of her round she recorded five birdies and two bogeys, a performance that left her well ahead of a tightly packed group consisting of Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen and In Gee Chun, who all finished tied for second place. Reflecting on her win, Nishimura said, "Holding a five‑shot lead can feel like a heavy burden, but I trusted my game and kept pressing forward until the final putt.
I missed a lot of cuts earlier this season, so to stand here as the champion is both surprising and a dream realized." Iwai had mounted a serious challenge after a spectacular bogey‑free 62 that featured six birdies in just seven holes, briefly narrowing the gap. Wannasaen posted a solid 64, while Chun carded a 65, each finishing 16 under par. England’s Jodi Ewart‑Shadoff was another stroke back, sharing fifth place after delivering three straight rounds of 66.
A few memorable moments added extra sparkle to the event. Yealimi Noh recorded her first LPGA Tour ace on the par‑three 15th, sinking a nine‑iron from 136 yards.
Meanwhile, Mao Saigo demonstrated her long‑iron skill by holing a seven‑iron from 159 yards on the par‑three third. Lottie Woad, who began the day six shots behind the leader, found herself five over par when she elected to withdraw due to illness after an errant drive that landed out of bounds on the 14th. Her Solheim Cup teammate, Julia Lopez Ramirez, ultimately finished seven strokes back, sharing eighth place, while Charley Hull slipped to a tie for 22nd after posting a 70 in the final round.
In parallel news on the Ladies European Tour, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander added a third LET title to her résumé – her second in just a month – by prevailing by three strokes at the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open. Alexander, a five‑time runner‑up on the LET 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. Her round featured an eagle, four birdies, a bogey and a double‑bogey, underscoring her ability to navigate a volatile final stretch.
The victory followed her recent win at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, highlighting a surge in form. "I’m pleased I didn’t have to wait as long for this one as I did for the previous title," Alexander remarked. "My game feels right for winning tournaments, and I’m excited about the remainder of the season and the opportunities that lie ahead." Alexander began the final round tied for the lead, fell four shots back after five holes, but fought back with an eagle on the par‑five ninth to re‑establish parity. She then added three birdies in the closing four holes, creating a decisive gap over the field.
Her win strengthens her grip on 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 to Hawaii for the Lotte Championship, set to commence Thursday at Ewa Beach on Oahu. Live coverage will begin 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 will defend her title. Fans can stay updated on the latest Sky Sports offers or stream without a contract on NOW.