Kim, Mi-Hyun, “Nice Wood Shot”

The ‘Super Peanut’ Kim, Mi-Hyun (KTF) started dynamically toward the third wining of the season showing her excellent fairway wood abilities.

At the first round of the 2002 US LPGA Tour Canadian Women’s Open held at the Shmelia Golf Club (par72. 6,435 yards) in Quebec, Canada on the 16th, Kim, Mi-Hyun shook off last week’s slump at the British Women’s Open and made four birdies and no bogey, and she marked a lone second place (4 under par, 68 shots) by a shot following Kate Golden (5 under par, 67 shots, USA).

She teed off at the 10th hole and sent her ball with second her shot using a spoon (3 wood) 80 yards in front of the green at the 11th hole (par 5, 505 yards), put it 2.5m away from the cup on her third shot, and got her first birdie of the day easily.

Kim, Mi-Hyun, who added another birdie by putting the ball 3m away from the cup on her second shot by the number 7 wood at the 15th hole (par 4), made consecutive birdies at the 17th (par 3, 181 yards) and 18th holes (par 4, 398 yards) with precise number 9 wood shots and joined the leader group.

It was bit disappointing to just save pars at the remaining 9 holes since the birdie puttings just missed the hole-cups.

In the meantime, 4 Korean players including the ‘Koala’ Park, Hui-Jung (CJ39 Shopping) and Han, Hui-Won (Fila Korea), who were tied at the third place (3 under par, 69 shots), and Lee, Jung-Yeon (Hankook Tire), who marked tie at the eighth place (2 under par, 70 shots), were placed in top ten, so they were announcing another ‘Korean blast.’

Park, Ji-Eun (Ehwa Woman’s University) showed no trouble marking tie at the 15th place (1 under par, 71 shots); however, Pak, Se-Ri (Talyormade) showed disappointing start marking tie at the 29th place (1 over par, 73 shots).

The ‘Ultra Peanut’ Jang, Jung (Jeanus), who had played well marking tie at the 4th place at the British Women’s Open, was facing a cut off marking tie at the 88th place (4 over par, 76 shots).

Meanwhile, Carrie Webb (Australia), who had aching come-from-behind win at the British Women’s Open, finished the first round marking tie at the 22nd place (72 shots). Anika Sorenstam (Sweden) did not participate this tournament due to possible shock of cut off at the British Women’s Open although she was the Champion of this tournament last year.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com