MIDLAND, MI (6-14-26) — Gina Kim and 19-year-old rookie Yana Wilson captured the 2026 Dow Championship on Sunday at Midland Country Club, earning the first LPGA Tour victories of their careers and securing a place among the season’s most memorable breakthrough stories.

The American duo finished at 17-under-par (68-63-70-62) to defeat South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi and Hyo Joo Kim, who closed at 15-under-par. Alison Lee and Lilia Vu, along with defending champions Jin Hee Im and Somi Lee, tied for third at 14-under.

The final round began under cloudy skies and intermittent rain, but the tournament ended with sunshine and a celebration as Kim and Wilson completed a dramatic charge to the title. Nicknamed the “Weapons of Grass Destruction,” the pair delivered one of the strongest rounds of the week when it mattered most.

Trailing by one stroke entering Sunday’s final round, Kim and Wilson seized control on the front nine when Kim eagled the par-5 fifth hole. The eagle vaulted the team into a tie for the lead and set the stage for a back-nine battle with Choi and Hyo Joo Kim.

The teams remained deadlocked through the turn before Wilson rolled in a birdie on No. 10 to give the Americans the outright lead. The duo continued to build momentum, finishing the day with six birdies and the pivotal eagle while keeping mistakes off the card down the stretch.

“We both did a really good job today at just not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” Wilson said afterward. “It’s really easy to do when you’re in the leading group and not chasing anymore.”

For Wilson, the victory was historic. At 19 years, 9 months and 24 days old, she became the LPGA Tour’s first rookie winner of the 2026 season and the youngest LPGA winner of the year. The championship also marked her first career LPGA top-10 finish.

Kim’s victory came in her 64th LPGA Tour start and provided a career-changing reward. The win grants both players a two-year LPGA Tour exemption and entry into major championships through 2027.

“Not to sound dramatic, but it really changed the trajectory of my career,” Kim said following the victory.

The championship continues a recent trend at the Dow Championship, as Kim and Wilson became the second consecutive team to earn their first LPGA victories at Midland Country Club. They also became the first American duo to win the event since 2023.

The pair split the winner’s share of $805,381, with each player earning $402,691.

The LPGA Tour remains in Michigan this week as Kim and Wilson head west to Belmont for the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club. Riding newfound confidence and winner’s status, both players will arrive among the golfers to watch as another strong field gathers in the Grand Rapids area.

La Prensa Latina News Wire will be on-site throughout the week providing tournament coverage and photography from Belmont.