'Unbeatable Long Hitter' Kim Arim "Exploding at Majors Too~"

KLPGA Power Hitter Ranking 1st for 3 Consecutive Years "Up to 300 Yards", Leading US Women's Open Through 3 Rounds with Incredible Strength

Kim A-rim is cheering while holding the trophy in front of the leaderboard immediately after winning the US Women's Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Unbeatable Long Hitter.'

'US Women's Open Champ' Kim Arim (25) is ranked number one in long hitters on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour with an average drive distance of 259.52 yards. She has held the top spot for three consecutive years since 2018 and can drive up to 300 yards when she sets her mind to it. She also possesses a premium iron shot with high trajectory and a lot of spin. Since debuting on the KLPGA Tour in 2016, she has won twice in total?at the Park Seri Invitational in September 2018 and the MY Munyoung Queens Park Championship in July last year?but ironically, she still craves more victories.

Her short game faltered at critical moments. However, at the US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million) that ended on the 15th, Kim Arim's 'long drive power' stood out. Among players who advanced to the third round, she ranked first in average drive distance at 262.5 yards. She made a splash by tying for second place at 3-under par on the first day. Although she stumbled with 3-over par on the second day and 1-over par on the third day, she finished the final day with six birdies and two bogeys for a 4-under par daily best score.

The final stretch from holes 16 to 18 was the highlight. On the 16th hole (par 3, 178 yards), where most players use a hybrid club, she made a 1-meter birdie putt with a 5-iron. On the 17th hole (par 4), nearly 400 yards, she used an 8-iron, and on the 18th hole (par 4), she hit her second shot with a 48-degree wedge to easily add another birdie. Kim Arim also commented, "I was disappointed with my play in the third round, so today I took an aggressive approach aiming directly at the pin, and it worked out as I planned."

It is interesting that Kim Arim overturned a 5-stroke deficit to the leader, tying the record for the largest comeback margin (5 strokes). Above all, winning on her first appearance in this tournament is big news. She became the fifth champion following Patty Berg in 1946, Kathy Cornelius in 1956, Kim Joo-yeon (39) in 2005, and Jeon In-ji (26, KB Financial Group) in 2015. She also set a unique record as the lowest-ranked player in the world rankings (currently 94th) to win the US Women's Open.

Regarding her entry into the LPGA Tour next year, Kim Arim said, "I still can't believe I won," and added, "I will go home and think about it slowly." She mentioned, "I traveled to the US with my mother and my caddie brother," and expressed gratitude to her parents, sponsors, trainer, and swing coach. She cheered, "I want to quickly return to Korea and enjoy this thrill while eating delicious food with my family."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.