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Kimberly Kim moved from Hilo to Arizona when she started high school, not long after older sister Christine won the 2005 state high school championship for Waiakea. Yesterday, Christine was carrying Kimberlys blue Hawaii golf bag in her sisters seventh LPGA start.
Kimberly, 19, turned pro in July, after her freshman year at the University of Denver. She finished 14th at the LPGAs Qualifying Tournament to earn her card. Now, the golfer who won the 2006 U.S. Womens Amateur as a child and the 2009 U.S. Junior Girls as a young woman, is looking to cash her first LPGA check.
Its still intimidating, Id have to say, said Kim, who missed the cut in her first start as a member last week. I have a couple of friends, of course they are rookies, and I know a few other girls, but its nice to have people who feel exactly the same way as you do.
Kim opened with a 75 Thursday and was on her way to another yesterday before bogeying two of the final three holes to shoot 77 and move to 6 over for the tournament. About half the golfers need to finish their second round this morning, but while 4 under looked to have a shot at making the cut (it is one shot out of the top 70 and ties now), 6 under is a very long shot.
I putted a lot better today, but I had problems with yardage, said Kim, sounding just like a rookie. I was putting myself in bad positions, being long and short. If I was parallel with the pin it would have helped.
The only LPGA cut Kim has made came in the 2006 U.S. Womens Open, when she was 14. She might have to make her next cut without her sister.
She is praying to God that this is the only tournament that she has to caddie, Kim said. Talk about complaining.
Both are learning as they go.
You definitely have to have a good attitude because this is golf, Kim said. No matter who you are, you are going to have your ups and downs. Youve just got to fight through it and try to balance your game because youre not going to hit it or play it or do anything perfect everyday. Ive just got to work it out.
