“Rising Star” Kim In-kyung Wins U.S. Girls Junior Amateur Golf Tourney

“Rising Star” Kim In-kyung (17, Hanyoung Foreign Language High School) won the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur golf tourney on July 24.

Kim In-kyung, a national team candidate, became the winner at the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur held at Banberry Golf Course (par 71) in Eagle, Idaho, beating 2002 champion Park In-Bee (17) by a margin of five holes.

Kim is the third Korean player to win the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur championship in the history of the event, followed by Song Aree (Himart) in 1999 and Park In-Bee. It is the 57th year of the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur.

Kim, who started playing golf at age 10, started showing remarkable development since early this year when she went to the U.S. to study golf.

Kim already recorded three wins in a row at the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) in May, the IJGT tourney in June, and the Hargray Junior Classic of the American Junior Golf Association.

“I’m very happy and excited. I made another leap forward in my quest to be a great golfer,” Kim said after the game.

Coach Gary Gilchrist, who also taught Michelle Wie and Song Aree, complimented Kim, saying that it was not surprising that Kim won this game. He also said that he expected this because she was talented and also always works very hard. He said he had great expectations for her next round at the U.S. Women`s Amateur next month, and that she could even win the championship.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com