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Gina Kim Collects First Professional Victory
5/29/2022 7:46:00 PM | Women's Golf
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Former Duke University women's golf standout Gina Kim collected her first professional victory on Sunday as she turned in an 11-under, 208, to win the Inova Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship on the Epson Tour in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Over the three days, Kim notched rounds of 66, 69 and 73 for an 11-under-par, 208, to finish two strokes ahead of Caroline Inglis and Maria Fassi (210). Â
"It definitely means the world to me," said Kim, who had her mother [Sangsuk] on the bag. "Not just because it's unexpected, but it's a testament to how much work I've put in and progress I have made as a rookie."
Despite a rocky start with bogeys at Nos. 3 and 5, Kim fought back. She carded birdie on No. 7, before a bogey on No. 9 to make the turn in 2-over par. At nine-under-par overall, Kim was one back of the lead held by Fassi. The back nine was a different story. Kim was unblemished and bookended the nine with birdies on Nos. 10 and 18.
"I was so impatient the first four months [after I turned pro], trying to make something crazy happen," said Kim. "I realized that you have to celebrate the small wins too. That's why yesterday I was happy with what I had accomplished to that point. This is the cherry on top."
Kim, a native of Durham, N.C., turned professional in January, after receiving her LPGA Tour card during Q-Series in December. Â
With the victory, Kim becomes the 11th different Blue Devil to win on the Epson Tour – Beth Bauer, Celine Boutier, Candy Hannemann, Liz Janangelo, Virada Nirapathpongporn, Leona Maguire, Ana Belac, Kristina Engstrom, Yu Liu and Hannah O'Sullivan. Duke golfers have won a total of 19 tournaments on the Epson Tour. Â
Kim earned $30,000 with Sunday's victory and now owns $38,526 in Epson Tour earnings on the season. She is projected to jump 46 spots from No. 52 to No. 6 in the 2022 Ascensus Race for the Card.
"The whole round I told myself how proud I was of what I accomplished already," said Kim. "I achieved everything I wanted to [this week] in the first two rounds and proved to myself that I have the game and talent to be in contention. It was a perfect finish. I couldn't be happier."
Kim's former teammate Jaravee Boonchant carded a tied for 11th finish with rounds of 72, 71 and 73 for a 3-under, 216. Â
#GoDuke
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Over the three days, Kim notched rounds of 66, 69 and 73 for an 11-under-par, 208, to finish two strokes ahead of Caroline Inglis and Maria Fassi (210). Â
"It definitely means the world to me," said Kim, who had her mother [Sangsuk] on the bag. "Not just because it's unexpected, but it's a testament to how much work I've put in and progress I have made as a rookie."
Despite a rocky start with bogeys at Nos. 3 and 5, Kim fought back. She carded birdie on No. 7, before a bogey on No. 9 to make the turn in 2-over par. At nine-under-par overall, Kim was one back of the lead held by Fassi. The back nine was a different story. Kim was unblemished and bookended the nine with birdies on Nos. 10 and 18.
"I was so impatient the first four months [after I turned pro], trying to make something crazy happen," said Kim. "I realized that you have to celebrate the small wins too. That's why yesterday I was happy with what I had accomplished to that point. This is the cherry on top."
Kim, a native of Durham, N.C., turned professional in January, after receiving her LPGA Tour card during Q-Series in December. Â
With the victory, Kim becomes the 11th different Blue Devil to win on the Epson Tour – Beth Bauer, Celine Boutier, Candy Hannemann, Liz Janangelo, Virada Nirapathpongporn, Leona Maguire, Ana Belac, Kristina Engstrom, Yu Liu and Hannah O'Sullivan. Duke golfers have won a total of 19 tournaments on the Epson Tour. Â
Kim earned $30,000 with Sunday's victory and now owns $38,526 in Epson Tour earnings on the season. She is projected to jump 46 spots from No. 52 to No. 6 in the 2022 Ascensus Race for the Card.
"The whole round I told myself how proud I was of what I accomplished already," said Kim. "I achieved everything I wanted to [this week] in the first two rounds and proved to myself that I have the game and talent to be in contention. It was a perfect finish. I couldn't be happier."
Kim's former teammate Jaravee Boonchant carded a tied for 11th finish with rounds of 72, 71 and 73 for a 3-under, 216. Â
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Golf
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/ Women's GolfKarcher-Ingram Golf Center Facility Tour
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