<Women's Golf> Ima Ayana becomes the first Japanese to win the Korean KLPGA Dream Tour!

The "KLPGA 2025" was held at Gunsan Country Club in Gunsan City, South Korea, co-hosted by Gunsan City and Gunsan Country Club and hosted by the KLPGA.
KLPGA International member Ayana Kon (27) won the championship trophy at the 16th Gunsan Dream Tour (total prize money: 70 million won/approximately 7.4 million yen).
She won the championship and became the first Japanese winner on the KLPGA Dream Tour. Ayana Ima, who finished tied for 12th place with a score of 69 for 3 under par with 5 birdies and 2 bogeys in the first round,
In the final round, he played flawlessly, recording a bono bogey and seven birdies, and finished the match at the top of the leaderboard with a total of 10 under par "134".
The playoff for her first Dream Tour trophy began on the second hole.
On the second hole of the playoff, Ima Ayana made a 3.5 meter birdie putt, while Kim So-jeong, who had a 3 meter birdie chance, narrowly missed.
Unfortunately, she missed the birdie putt and recorded a par, bringing the long game to an end. This season, Ima Ayana, who participated in the Dream Tour for the first time and achieved her first victory in her career, said, "I'm really happy. I'm the first Japanese player to win the tournament.
"It's a victory, and it's my first Dream Tour victory, so it has a special meaning. I'm also happy to be able to share the news of my victory with the people who support me in Japan," he said.
As for the driving force behind her victory, Ima Ayana said, "Today, the conditions and the feeling of my shots were good, so I was able to reduce the number of strokes and advance to the playoff, and I was also able to win."
I think the driving force behind my victory today is my parents who encouraged me to do my best, my sponsors who support me and wish me success in Korea, and the many people who always support me."
Influenced by her golf-loving parents, Ima Ayana started playing golf and began practicing at the age of 11 with the dream of becoming a golfer. In her second year of high school, she won the Kanto High School Golf Championship and made a name for herself.
In 2021, she won the Mynavi Next Heroine Golf Tour, which she participated in as a non-JLPGA member.
Ima Ayana, who has been active in Japan, will steadily participate in the KLPGA from 2023 and will compete in the KLPGA Championship held in March 2024.
She participated in the LPGA 2024 First Associate Member Selection Tournament and successfully became a KPGA International member.
Ima Ayana, who won the first round of the CC Samada Red Ginseng Ball Jump Tour (3rd Division), set a record by becoming the first Japanese national to win the Dream Tour in the history of the KLPGA.
Ayana is now the fourth foreign player to win the KLPGA Dream Tour. Regarding her future goals, Ayana said, "First, I want to pass the Japanese professional test, then improve my skills and get into the KLPGA Dream Tour.
I am working hard with the goal of becoming a strong player who can compete in the GA regular tour (first division). I ask for your interest and support so that I can achieve my goal."
Mayu Wakui from Japan also participated and finished in third place with a total score of 135, 9 under par.