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Kim Min-sol wins Korean Women's Open on eve of 20th birthday

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Rookie golfer Kim Min-sol, on the eve of her 20th birthday, won the Korean Women's Open, her first major title of the season.
  • Kim secured the victory with a final round score of 1-under par, finishing at 4-under par 280, earning her a 400 million won prize and an SUV.
  • The win propelled Kim to the top of the season's money rankings and points standings, solidifying her position as a leading rookie.

Rookie golfer Kim Min-sol celebrated her upcoming 20th birthday by clinching the Korean Women's Open, her first major championship of the season. The young talent secured the prestigious title with a final score of 4-under par 280 at Lakewood Country Club in Yangju. Her victory earned her a significant prize of 400 million won (approximately $285,000) and a luxury SUV.

Kim's journey to the top has been remarkable. After competing on the second-tier tour last season, she earned her spot on the main KLPGA Tour through an invitationals win. She quickly made her mark, winning another tournament and then securing her third career victory at the iM Financial Open earlier this season. This latest major win not only marks her first major title but also places her at the forefront of the season's standings for both prize money and points, while maintaining her lead in the Rookie of the Year race.

I'm happy to have won right after competing in the U.S. last week.

โ€” Kim Min-solKim Min-sol's reaction after winning the Korean Women's Open.

Reflecting on her performance, Kim expressed her joy in winning immediately after returning from a trip to the United States. She noted her strategy of playing cautiously on a course known for its challenging scores. The tournament itself was demanding, with only Kim and fellow amateur Yang Yun-seo finishing under par. Yang, a member of the national golf team, secured second place. The event also saw notable performances from established players like Shin Jiyai, who finished tied for seventh, and Park Min-ji, who tied for 22nd.

This course is known for not yielding good scores, so I tried to play as safely as possible.

โ€” Kim Min-solKim Min-sol's strategy during the tournament.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.