A closing even-par 70 on Sunday secured Kim a three-stroke victory over Ally McDonald.

Kim finished at 14-under 266 at Pelican Golf Club in the first-year tournament originally set for the same week as the PGA Championship in May.

The KPMG Women's PGA winner last month in her last start, World No.2 Kim won for the 12th time on the LPGA Tour to be third on the South Korean victory list behind only Inbee Park (20) and Se Ri Pak (25).

Kim is close to taking the top spot.

"It means a lot because world ranking No.1 is my wish list in this year, so that's my biggest goal in this year," Kim said.

"Before Olympic gold medal was my biggest goal in this year, but it cancel.

"Might be next year."

McDonald birdied the 18th for a 68 but never really threatened a charge at Kim.

"It means a lot because world ranking No.1 is my wish list in this year, so that's my biggest goal in this year." – Sei Young Kim

American McDonald was coming off a victory in the Drive On Championship-Reynolds Lake Oconee in Georgia, her first on the Tour.

Stephanie Meadow was third at 9 under after a 69.

Former World No.1 Lydia Ko (69) and Austin Ernst ( 68) were 8 under in a share of fourth with Brooke Henderson (69), Angela Stanford (65), Jennifer Song (65) and Jessica Korda (64) a shot further back in a tie for sixth.

Australian Minjee Lee carded a horrible 75 – which included a bogey, double-bogey start – to slide from fifth to a share of 15th at 1 under.

Hannah Green (70) and Su Oh (71) finished in a share of 46th at 6 over.

The 27-year-old Kim is the first player to follow her first major victory with a win in her next start since Ariya Jutanugarn in 2016 in the Women's British Open and CP Women's Open.

"Always after win always got the extra confidence, so when I play, standing on the golf course, it feels very happy when I walk on the course," Kim, also a five-time KLPGA winner, said.

After her victory last month at Aronimink in Pennsylvania, she took a trip home to South Korea during the long break.

"After the tournament I just want to relax and then feel fresh, make myself feel fresh, so don't think about golf," Kim said.

"Just fun thing to do."