The duo of LPGA players Yana Wilson and Gina Kim just took home the win at the 2026 Dow Championship on June 14, but their path to this victory was no cakewalk. Both have spent years grinding through qualifying tournaments and playing on the Epson Tour to reach this point. 

Wilson, 19, and Kim, 26, shot a final-round 62 to finish at 17-under and win the championship by two shots at Midland Country Club in Michigan on Sunday. Speaking at their post-round press conference, Wilson made clear what the win meant beyond the trophy. 

"It's such a relief, honestly, because I was really dreading doing the AIG Women's Open qualifying. I'm just really happy."

Wilson needn't worry anymore, as the win earned both players a two-year exemption on the LPGA Tour and automatic spots in all major championships in 2026 and 2027. 

Kim added to her partner's sentiment at the post-round presser, saying, "I'm just glad I don't have to do qualifying anymore. At least up until next year."

Both players earned their LPGA Tour cards through the Epson Tour in 2025, finishing second and third in the season standings.

Together, Wilson and Kim won five Epson Tour events last year. Before this week, Kim had missed the cut in her previous three LPGA tournaments, causing further worries about qualifying for majors.

But the pair clinched the win, being three strokes ahead of their competition, South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim and Hye-Jin Choi.

Each player earned $402,691 for winning the Dow Championship, which was more than the total money they made combined on the Epson Tour last season.

The LPGA Partnership That Almost Didn't Happen

The pairing almost did not happen. Kim was late choosing a partner and turned to Wilson almost by default.

She quickly realized it was the right call.

"Once again, we played with each other so many times on the Epson Tour... I thought going with Yana was going to be the best choice, and I think that's the best choice I made this year so far."

Wilson also felt comfortable with Kim as her partner. The duo set forth on Sunday, intent on winning through combined effort.

Kim's eagle on the fifth set the tone Sunday, while Wilson's birdie on 17 put them two clear.

While Wilson admitted to being shaky over the ball, she made the hole. Kim said she never doubted her.

Wilson became the first teenager to win on the LPGA Tour in three years. Wilson and Kim are the first-time winners of the 2026 LPGA season, which is the longest stretch into an LPGA season before a first-time winner since 2017.

Do you think Wilson and Kim can carry this momentum into the rest of the 2026 LPGA season? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Club Golf!

Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Ray