'Non-member' Kim Arim's Comeback Cheer "I'm the US Women's Open Champ~" (Summary)

2020 Season Final Major Comeback Victory with 1.09 Billion Won Jackpot, Ko Jin-young Ties for 2nd, Park In-bi and Lee Jeong-eun6 Tie for 6th

Kim A-rim is cheering as she lifts the trophy immediately after winning the final day of the 75th US Women's Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Non-member' Kim Arim (25, SBI Savings Bank) achieves a come-from-behind victory.

On the 15th (Korean time) at the Cypress Creek Course (Par 71, 6,731 yards) of Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, USA, the final day of the 75th US Women's Open, the last major of the 2020 LPGA Tour season with a total prize of $5.5 million, Kim shot 4-under par to clinch a one-stroke victory (3-under par 281). This marks the third win by a Korean player as a non-member since So-yeon Ryu (30, Mediheal) in 2011 and In-ji Jeon (26, KB Financial Group) in 2015, her 11th career win, and the winner's prize money is $1 million (10.9 billion KRW).

Starting tied for 10th place, five strokes behind, Kim Arim recorded six birdies and two bogeys. She began her chase with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 5 and 6 and a birdie on the 8th hole (par 3), but was briefly stalled by consecutive bogeys on holes 10 and 11. However, as the leaders faltered, she made three consecutive birdies from holes 16 to 18 to finally take the top spot on the leaderboard. She became the fifth player to win on her first appearance, following Patty Berg (1946), Kathy Cornelius (1956), Ju-yeon Kim (39, 2005), and In-ji Jeon.

Ranked 94th in the world, Kim Arim is a representative long hitter on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour with two career wins. Due to the expanded eligibility caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic this year, she got the chance to compete. She showed her strength by shooting 3-under par on the first day, the only Korean player to enter the top 10, and demonstrated fierce finishing power on the final day to instantly become the 'Major Queen,' earning the right to play on the LPGA Tour starting next year.

"I thought there would be a chance to come from behind, but winning still feels surreal," said Kim Arim. "After some disappointing play in the third round, I took an aggressive approach today by aiming directly at the pins. Arriving early at the tournament venue and having plenty of preparation time also helped," she cheered. World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (25) shot 3-under par to finish tied for second place (2-under par 282), dramatically securing a spot in next week's season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship.

Amy Olson (USA), who suffered a shin injury the previous day, performed well to finish tied for second. The leader, Hinako Shibuno (Japan), struggled with a 3-over par round and dropped to fourth place (1-under par 283). Korea's 'Golf Queen' In-bee Park (32, KB Financial Group) shot 3-under par to rise to a tie for sixth place (2-over par 286). Jeong-eun Lee6 (24, Daebang Construction) also tied for sixth, while Se-young Kim (27, Mirae Asset) and So-yeon Ryu tied for 20th place (6-over par 290), and Hye-jin Choi (21, Lotte) tied for 30th place (8-over par 292).

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