Sei Young Kim exuded both joy and disbelief on a triumphant stroll to the green.

She alternately shook her head and waved to the fans cheering her arrival, then paused a moment after peering into the cup.

Did that really just happen?

That thought was probably buzzing through many in the gallery after Kim’s approach shot to Ko Olina Golf Club’s 18th green cleared the pond fronting the green, bounded high, bounced again, rolled toward the hole then disappeared for a jaw-dropping eagle to give the LPGA Tour rookie the Lotte Championship title in a playoff with Inbee Park.

"I still can’t believe what just happened today," a beaming Kim said in the media room following the trophy presentation.

Some 32 years after Isao Aoki’s signature hole-out to win the Hawaiian Open, the 22-year-old Kim delivered the most stunning swing in the Lotte Championship’s relatively young history with her 8-iron from 156 yards out.

"I think it was between 7 and 8 (iron)," Kim said. "I chose 8 normal and it was a good choice."

That she had that opportunity was remarkable in itself after her tee shot on No. 18 rolled into the water hazard. Her third shot just cleared the pond fronting the green and landed on the fringe while Park was safely on the back of the green.

Park rolled her putt inches from the hole, seemingly a tap-in away from the win. But Kim chipped in for par from 18 feet to close out a 1-over 73 for the day and remain at 11 under, tied with Park to close regulation.

"On the 18th when I hit my hybrid I thought there was no way that it fall into the hazard," Kim said through a translator. "When it happened I just tried to get myself under control because something crazy just happened to me.

"I thought maybe something crazy will happen again, so I tried to get myself under control and calm myself and look what happened."

When Kim and Park went back to the 18th tee, Kim went with a 4-iron to leave herself about even with Park in the fairway. Her second shot rode a still wind at her back to stay on the pin and found its way into the hole.

While cameras surrounded Kim as she tried to comprehend the moment, Park waited to hit her approach. Needing to match a miracle, she left her shot short of the green and Kim could officially celebrate her second career win as an LPGA Tour rookie, which came with a $270,000 winner’s check.

"Couldn’t be any more different," Kim said in comparing Saturday’s win with her victory at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic in February.

"It was completely different because the first time around I anticipated winning the tournament toward the end. Today I didn’t see it coming."

Who could have, really?

Kim held a one-shot lead after the third round on Friday and she spent most of Saturday in a tie with Park and I.K. Kim. The trio scrambled for pars for much of the back nine on the windiest day of the tournament.

I.K. Kim dropped off the pace with a bogey on No. 17 after draining several long putts to save par earlier in the round.

"I didn’t have much chances on the way. I just kind of saved pars," said I.K. Kim, who was chasing her first win since 2010. "I think I (played) well. Just missed opportunity on 17. I misjudged the speed of the green. I think that really cost the tournament."

Sei Young Kim needed to drop a nervy par putt of her own on 17 to stay with Park and set up the double dose of drama on 18.

Kim’s chip-in for par and hole-out for eagle left Park to settle for a runner-up finish after tying for fourth in 2013 and placing third last year.

"I just tried my best today. … On the back nine I was little bit disappointing. Couple of short birdie misses, 13 and 14, and I think that was my mistake for today," said Park, who shot a 1-under 73 on Saturday.

"(Kim’s) already won twice this year and she has definitely proven herself that she can compete out here. … She’s a great player. I think she’s a great fighter."

Sei Young Kim arrived in Hawaii still smarting from the final-round miscues that dropped her from the lead to a tie for fourth at the ANA Inspiration two weeks ago. She said she had trouble sleeping following the year’s first major and she expressed relief after the exhilarating finish.

"Throughout the round today I was telling myself I don’t know if I can live with myself if I make the same mistakes in two consecutive weeks," she said. "I’m first of all relieved that I was able to win this tournament and I am looking forward to going home and get some sleep tonight."

Perhaps most astounding, Kim’s last shot on Saturday was only her second most memorable as a pro.

She won the Hanwha Finance Classic, the richest event on the Korean LPGA Tour, with a hole-in-one on the 17th hole in 2013.

"So that was probably my most memorable shot," she said. "Sorry."

No apology necessary.

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