Korean Gets LPGA Win in Playoff

Kim Made 2nd Win with a Fantastic Birdie in the 3rd Hole –

The winner was not decided after 72 holes of regulation.

With the sun setting, “Super Peanut” Kim Mi-hyun (29, KTF) was standing on the green of the 18th hole (par 5) to putt for a birdie in the 3rd playoff round.

Kim felt lonely in this breath-taking battle for the championship cup as three or four hundred people in the gallery were cheering for Natalie Gulbis, 23, U.S., the other member of the final two in the playoff. Gulbis is a popular player in U.S. women’s golf, which is in need of a star. American golf fans were rooting for Gulbis with their wish to see Gulbis winning over one of the “Korean Women’s Golf Corps” which have invaded the LPGA.

However, Kim was not shaken. With the ball 5.5m away from the hole after her 3rd shot, she putted calmly. As the ball rolled into the hole, the gallery was silent, and Kim clenched her fist as if confident of her victory. Gulbis’ 3.5m birdie putt slid wide of the hole. It was the moment Kim made her 2nd victory of this season.

The LPGA Tour Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic was held in the Highland Meadows Golf Club (par 71), Sylvania, Ohio, on July 17.

Kim beat Gulbis in the 3rd playoff round after making total 18-under 266 when she closed 6-under in the final round. It was her 2nd victory of this season after winning the Ginn Clubs & Resorts Open in May, and 7th victory total. With the $180,000 she won, her total prize money this season reached the $1.0 million mark, and 4th ($1,014,724) in the prize rankings.

Kim is very likely to break her highest prize record ($1,049,993).

Pak Se-ri Finishes 4th, New Record for the LPGA Korean Wave with 9 Wins–

Korean female golfers have won nine victories this season in eighteen tournaments as Kim won the last game of the first half of the LPGA season. The Korean women are now tied with their 2002 record of the most wins in a season.

When Gulbis, one of the co-leaders in the 3rd round, made five birdies in a row in the beginning, Kim’s victory looked hopeless. However, Kim started to chase Gulbis with three birdies in a row from the 8th hole. She birdied in the 16th and 17th holes as Gulbis, winless since her debut in 2002, failed to make a birdie. Kim’s total playoff score is two wins and three losses.

Pak Se-ri, who has won the Jamie Farr Championship four times, finished 4th with a 16-under 268.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com