Kim narrowly misses 1st victory on LPGA tour

Sunday was an emotional day for Christina Kim, 20, who wept after finishing the 18th hole of The Rail golf course at the LPGA State Farm Classic golf tournament in Springfield, Illinois.
Kim came in second, finishing at a 23-under-par 265, only a single shot behind the winner, Cristie Kerr.
Kim began the final round four shots behind Kerr and ended up at six under par with five birdies and one eagle. Kim led for the first and second rounds, but finished the third round at one-under-par to allow Kerr to take the lead.
Kim missed birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes, and Kerr jumped ahead with a birdie putt in the 17th hole.
It was the best finish for Kim since she joined the LPGA last year. Kim has five top-10 finishes so far this season. Kim began playing golf when she was 11 years old and turned professional two years ago.
“I was just here this week to come out and do my best, and never in my wildest dreams especially here ... I am very proud of myself,” Kim said. “I was very satisfied with how I played today and how I finished.”
Kim Mi-hyun placed third at 18 under par, and Ahn Shi-hyun was tied for 11th with 12 under par. This was Kim Mi-hyun’s 12th top-ten finish this year. Han Hee-won came in 30th with eight-under-par 280.
Grace Park came in 37th with a six-under-par 282 and Pak Se-ri finished 66th with a one-under-par 287.

by Limb Jae-un, Chung Jeh-won