KLPGA Rising Star Kim Min-sol Leads iM Financial Open: Can She Secure the Rookie Title?

Min-sol Kim / Photo: KLPGA

[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young] Min-sol Kim, a breakout rookie on the Korean LPGA (KLPGA) Tour, took sole possession of the lead after the opening day of the iM Financial Open (total purse 10 hundred million KRW (about $660,000)).

Kim shot a 6-under 66 in the first round on April 9 at Golfzon County Seonsan (par 72) in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, carding seven birdies and one bogey.

She sits atop the leaderboard, one stroke ahead of Ye-rim Choi (5-under 67).

Last year Kim drew attention with four victories on the Dream Tour, the KLPGA’s second-tier circuit. She secured full-season status after a surprise win as an invitee at the BC Card·Hankyung Ladies Cup in August, and she added another title at the Dongbu Construction·Korea Land Trust Championship in October to finish the season with two wins.

However, Kim didn’t meet the tournament-count requirement to be eligible for last year’s Rookie of the Year, so she’ll compete for the honor this season.

Kim began on the 1st hole (par 4). She made her first birdie at the 3rd (par 4) and followed with back-to-back birdies at the 6th (par 5) and 7th (par 4).

She dropped her only bogey at the 8th (par 3) but answered with birdies at the 10th (par 5) and 11th (par 4). Kim added birdies at the 13th (par 3) and 15th (par 4) to close out the day at 6-under.

After the round Kim said, \”The forecast warned of strong wind and rain, so I was worried, but the early weather was better than expected and I was able to get off to a good start. When the wind and rain picked up late, I talked it over with my caddie and stayed calm to finish.\”

She added, \”I’ve practiced a lot this season and I feel like I’m playing well. Overall I’m better than I was at the last event, and my putting came through again today, which made a big difference. I feel more pressure from myself than from others’ expectations, and overcoming that pressure is a part of my growth.\”

Looking ahead to the remaining rounds, Kim said she plans to clean up the areas that were lacking today and play with greater confidence rather than focus on any particular danger. Making a long putt today — one she’d missed all of last week — gave her a big boost. \”I’ll do my best,\” she said.

Si-hyun Kim, Ye-seong Jeon and Na-hyun Kim tied for third at 4-under 68.

Last year’s champion Min-ju Kim finished tied for eighth at 2-under 70 alongside Ye-won Lee, Su-ji Kim and Jung-min Moon.

Local favorite Ji-won Ko shot an even-par 72 to finish tied for 34th.

[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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