Grace Kim scored her maiden LPGA Tour victory at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii. The 22-year-old from Sydney holed a birdie putt from eight feet at the first playoff hole to edge the win over Korea’s Yu Jin Sung and China’s Yu Liu.
Kim, who is a LPGA Tour rookie, banks US$300,000 and earns her playing rights on the LPGA Tour for the next two years.
The 2021 Australian Women’s Amateur champion has been one of the game’s emerging talents over the passed couple of years. Kim won the 2021 TPS Sydney on the WPGA Tour as an amateur before turning professional and going on to defend her title in 2022. The former Youth Olympics gold medallist collected the 2022 IOA Golf Classic on the Epsom Tour.
Kim posted rounds of 71, 67, 70 and 68 to reach 12-under at Hoakalei Country Club. Her final round 4-under 68 contained six birdies including back-to-back birdies at the final two holes to make the playoff.
Sung was playing on a sponsor invitation. The 22-year-old earned her spot in Hawaii after winning the 2022 LOTTE Open on the Korean LPGA Tour. Sung, who took a one-shot lead into the final round, carded a 3-under 69 to reach 12-under and share second place with China’s Liu. Liu fired an impressive bogey-free 8-under 64 to get to 12-under.
1. Grace Kim -12
T2. Yu Jin Sung 12
T2. Yu Liu -12
T4. Peiyun Chien -11
T4. Linnea Strom -11
Australians
T19. Karis Davidson -3
T38. Sarah Kemp E
T38. Stephanie Kyriacou E
T61. Su Oh +3
MC. Sarah Jane Smith
Photo credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
