South Korean golf player A Lim Kim celebrated her U.S. Women's Open debut with a historic win.
Kim orchestrated a resounding comeback after rallying a five-stroke deficit from a 4-under 67 in the final round of the U.S. Women's Open at Cypress Creek course.
The 25-year-old U.S. Open debutant slid smooth birdies on the final three holes to oust the previous competitors. She took one shot to edge fellow Korean Ko Jin-young, who currently sits at World No.1 to tie the world record for the greatest comeback in the U.S. Women's Open.
Before the final round, Kim watched only in front of the television, looking for some action outside in the middle of pouring rain.
Kim, who started professional golf in 2013, was scrolling on her phone and saw many text messages from her relatives and friends in South Korea who watched all her games in the U.S. Open.
On Sunday, the final round was pushed to Monday after an incessant downpour drenched the entire golf course.
Kim said that the environment in the U.S. is far different than in Korea. The MY Munyoung Queens Park Championship titlist said that she was thankful that the U.S. Women's Open continued despite the difficulties experienced at the peak of COVID-19.
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"I'm very honoured to win the 75th U.S. Women's Open. I still can't really soak in that I'm the champion, but it feels different winning the tournament here," Kim said in an interview with a broadcaster from Sky.
Japanese player Hinako Shibuho, who led the second round of the U.S. Open in 54 holes, fell short behind Kim. The Smiling Cinderella looked to seize her final shots but ended up botching a penultimate bogey to end up at the fourth place at one-under 74.
In the early round, Amy Olson, the front runner, sought Ko for a tiebreaker in her first LPGA and major win. The American slumbered deep in the final round after bogeying a par-3 16th drop, the same hole that put her in the driver's seat in the first round.
The 28-year-old golfer locked a birdie for a one-over 72 after the death of her father-in-law from a heart attack on Saturday.
Kim's victory marked South Korea's ninth win out of the 13 most recent U.S. Women's Open.
Kim, who only won her third professional tournament, never underestimated the pandemic even if her country only recorded 600 deaths from January to December 15 compared to other countries with already millions of recorded deaths.
She always establishes a strict discipline of wearing a face covering at all times - on and off the course.
"I'm OK to get positive tests for COVID-19, but I don't want to affect other people - players, a caddie that's playing within the group - so that's the reason I wear the mask throughout the round," Kim spoke through an interpreter.
Kim pocketed $1 million for her U.S. Open triumph. It also meant that she is eligible to sign for a biennial membership, but the South Korean has yet to decide about joining the 2021 tournament.
"I just need some more time to think about it," Kim uttered.
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