“Lydia Ko and other stars applaud triumphant return to the LPGA after 8 years.”

In the world of golf, what was once considered a mirage has become a reality: Mi Hyang Lee, a player who went an astonishing 3,143 days without a victory, finally broke her drought at the prestigious 2026 Blue Bay LPGA tournament. With the competition filled with stars, including defending champion Rio Takeda and elite players like Ruoning Yin and Hye-Jin Choi, Lee managed to lift the trophy after an intense battle.

“Mi Hyang Lee wins again after 3,143 days,” announced the LPGA Tour on social media, celebrating a moment that many thought was impossible. Lee’s last victory came in 2017 when she won the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, and since then, the South Korean faced a long period of uncertainty and challenges.

At the Blue Bay, Mi Hyang Lee delivered a remarkable performance, finishing with a total of 11-under par after rounds of 67-66-71-73. Despite a promising start in the tournament, where she led by three strokes after 54 holes, the course was not easy. The third round was marked by adverse weather conditions, resulting in a mix of seven birdies and six bogeys, but the player persevered.

In the final round, the pressure mounted. Lee got off to a rough start, accumulating two double bogeys and two bogeys, totaling 40 strokes on the front nine. However, her resilience shone on the back nine, where she managed three crucial birdies that kept her in close contention with Zhang Weiwei, who finished with an impressive 69.

The climax of the competition came on the final hole, a par-5 where Lee, from 75 yards away from the green, made a spectacular shot with a 58-degree wedge, hitting the flagstick and leaving the ball just two feet from the hole. A simple tap-in secured the victory by a single stroke.

Mi Hyang Lee’s victory did not go unnoticed, generating a wave of support and respect on social media. Renowned players such as Lydia Ko, Lilia Vu, Grace Kim, and Jenny Shin expressed their admiration for their colleague’s triumph. The world number one, Jeeno Thitikul, reposted the victory with the message “Congrats Unnie,” a demonstration of the sisterhood and respect that Lee inspires among younger players.

Lydia Ko also spoke out, sharing a message in Korean that expressed the difficulty of winning in golf and congratulated Lee on her determination. The reaction from Min Woo Lee, who limited himself to using trophy emojis, and the celebration from Han Yoomi, a volleyball player, with applause emojis, underscore the resonance of Lee’s achievement beyond the confines of golf.

Fans, in turn, did not hold back their emotions during the dramatic finale, praising Lee for her outstanding performance, even while facing injuries, including a persistent shoulder pain that has plagued her since 2025. This triumph is not only a milestone for Mi Hyang Lee but also a testament to her tenacity and passion for golf.

With this victory, Mi Hyang Lee not only ends a long wait but also reaffirms herself as a fierce competitor on the global golf stage, receiving applause and respect from all corners of the sport. Golf today celebrates not just a victory, but a story of overcoming challenges that inspires all athletes.