ROGERS, Ark. — Yuna Nishimura parlayed a steady front nine and a relentless finish on the back nine into her first LPGA Tour victory Sunday at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, winning by five shots at Pinnacle Country Club.
Late surge seals first LPGA title
The 26-year-old Nishimura, a six-time winner on the Japan LPGA, closed with a 5-under 66 and finished the three-day event at 21-under 192. She began the final round with a five-shot advantage after consecutive 63s and held off a midround charge to secure the trophy.
“I still can’t believe it. I still shake my hand. But, yeah, I’m proud of myself and, yeah, I’m super happy,” Nishimura said after the round.
Nishimura managed an even-par 36 on the front nine Sunday as challengers tried to close the gap. Aki Iwai, another Japanese competitor, produced a blistering run on the back nine — six birdies in seven holes — to post a bogey-free 62 and tie for second, along with Chanettee Wannasaen (65) and In Gee Chun (67).
“This week greens are so soft. Especially today. So I was like -- I need more aggressive. Like, yeah, I need hit three, four yards past the pin usually,”
Iwai said of her approach strategy at Pinnacle.
Key moments at Pinnacle Country Club
Nishimura opened a three-shot cushion over Iwai with an eagle on the par-5 14th, reaching the green with a fairway wood over water. She followed with two more birdies to post a 5-under 30 on the back nine that effectively put the finish out of reach for the field.
Lauren Coughlin, who made national headlines Saturday by recording nine consecutive birdies to open a round and card a career-low 61, closed with a 66 and finished tied for 12th, eight shots behind the champion. England’s Lottie Woad withdrew Sunday with an illness; she had been six shots off the lead after two rounds.
Sunday also produced two holes-in-one. Yealimi Noh holed a 9-iron from 136 yards on the par-3 15th for the first ace of her career. Mao Saigo recorded her first career hole-in-one with a 7-iron from 159 yards on the par-3 third.
Prize money and top finishers
The tournament carried a $3 million purse. Nishimura earned $450,000 for the victory, a payday that nearly tripled her season earnings to date.
| Finish | Player | Score | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuna Nishimura | -21 | $450,000 |
| T2 | Aki Iwai | -16 | $212,675 |
| T2 | Chanettee Wannasaen | -16 | $212,675 |
| T2 | In Gee Chun | -16 | $212,675 |
What this means locally
The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship has been a fixture in Rogers for two decades, drawing an international field and spotlighting the region each fall. Nishimura’s victory keeps the tournament’s recent history of first-time winners alive — she became the third first-time winner on tour this season and the third Japanese player to lift the Arkansas trophy.
- Winner: Yuna Nishimura — first LPGA title, $450,000
- Runner-ups: Aki Iwai, Chanettee Wannasaen, In Gee Chun — tied for second
- Notable moments: two holes-in-one, Coughlin’s record-opening nine birdies
For local organizers and fans, the event again delivered international competition and dramatic finishes at Pinnacle Country Club, reinforcing Rogers’ role as a stop on the LPGA schedule that can make careers and create memorable moments.
As players and spectators depart, tournament officials and the community will turn toward post-tournament evaluations, charitable distributions tied to the event, and planning for next year’s field. For now, however, the weekend belongs to Nishimura and a breakthrough performance that could reshape her season.
Coverage of the tournament included standout individual achievements and the usual mix of rising stars and established veterans. Nishimura’s victory is likely to be remembered for the composure she showed when the leaderboard tightened and for her decisive, birdie-laden finish on the closing holes.
— Cole Beaumont, State Correspondent
