South Korean Kim becomes youngest winner in Japan

By 이우영

Published : June 10, 2012 - 21:41

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In a file photo, Kim Hyo-ju, 17, holds up the trophy after winning the Lotte Mart Ladies Open in April. On Sunday Kim won the Suntory Ladies Open, an annual golf tournament on the LPGA of Japan Tour, with 17- under-par 271. She became the youngest winner of the tournament and added one more victory to Korean female golfers’ 16 winnings on the JLPGA Tour so far. The prize money of 18 million yen went to the second place winner as Kim is an amateur player and thus not qualified to claim prize money.

KOBE, Japan _ South Korean teenage amateur Kim Hyo-joo fired an 11-under 61 on Sunday to win the Suntory Ladies Open and become the youngest title winner on the Japan LPGA tour.

The 16-year-old Kim carded seven birdies on the front nine and added four more after the turn to finish at 17-under 271 for a 4-stroke victory over Japan's Miki Saiki.

The previous youngest winner was Japan's Ai Miyazato, who won the Dunlop Ladies Open as an 18-year-old amateur in 2003.

Kim, who was appearing in her first tournament in Japan, won the Korean tour's season-opening tournament by nine strokes.

(AP)

South Korean Kim becomes youngest winner in Japan

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