Grace Kim wins just third event as LPGA Tour cardholder
Grace Kim file photo – Sean Haffey Getty / LPGA
In just her third event as an LPGA Tour card holder, 22 year old Sydney golfer, Grace Kim, has today broken through for her maiden win at that level with a birdie at the first extra hole of the Lotte Championship in Hawaii to defeat China’s Yu Liu and Korea’s Yu Jin Sung.
Kim birdied her final two holes in regulation play at Ewa Beach on Oahu to force her way into the playoff and then claim the first prize of US$300,000 with a birdie at the par 5 18th to establish her status as Australian golf’s rising female star.
Having missed the cut at her first start in her rookie year in Arizona in March and finished 59th in the event in LA later that month, Kim has staged a massive turnaround to contend throughout the weekend and go on to win.
Kim gained access to the LPGA Tour after finishing 5th on last year’s secondary Epson Tour allowing the 2021 Australian Women’s Amateur Champion to graduate to female golf’s holy grail and she has made an almost immediate impact.
“I think just the birdie on 17 was definitely the big momentum changer,” said Kim. “Yeah, just kind of speechless right now. I will let you know that my second shot on that playoff hole, that wasn’t intentional. I kind of got lucky there. So, yeah, I guess it was a good day after all.
“I think the communication between my caddie and I worked really well. Mike, he’s very good. I think he kind of brings me back whenever I think too aggressively or isn’t quite appropriate for the kind of situation.”
Kim has been the recipient of a Karrie Webb scholarship in recent years and she acknowledged the role one of Australia’s greatest ever players has had in her development.
“I mean, I don’t think I have to say much. She’s already helped me out so much from my amateur days. Yeah, I think this win is definitely a credit to her for sure.”
Kim will now play next week’s first major of the year for the women when she tees it up at the Chevron Championship in Houston.
The Gold Coast’s Karis Davidson also had a good week when she finished in 19th place.
