U.S. Women’s Open – Lim putts way to first major win

Starting 5 strokes back, steady play and clutch putting wins title

USGA

Peter Koutroumpis

editor@trianglesportsnet.com

HOUSTON, TEXAS – A Lim Kim finished strong at the 75th U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club with three consecutive birdies on her final holes of play to capture her first U.S. Open title on Monday.

In fact, it was the Korean’s first-ever competition in the United States and her first women’s major.

Her 4-under-par 67 matched the lowest round of the championship and gave her a 3-under total of 281, one stroke better than countrywoman and world No. 1 Jin Young Ko and American Amy Olson.

Hinako Shibuno, the 54-hole leader, finished two strokes back.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

The championship had to be completed on Monday due to nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain that saturated the Cypress Creek Course on Sunday.

The No. 94 player in the Rolex Rankings became the 10th different Korean to claim the Harton S. Semple Trophy since Se Ri Pak’s breakthrough moment 22 years ago at Blackwolf Run.

“Can’t really describe it in words,” Kim said through a translator.

“I never expected that I was going to appear in the U.S. Women’s Open. I still can’t feel what it’s like right now, but I’ll probably feel it when the ceremony and everything wraps up today.”

Notables: With the win, Lim claimed custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy until the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open in June (she will get a permanent replica); the gold Mickey Wright Medal; exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Women’s Opens; exemptions into the other LPGA four women’s major championships for the next five years: ANA Inspiration; KPMG Women’s PGA Championship; AIG Women’s British Open; The Evian Championship; a two-year exemption on the LPGA Tour as a non-member; and a $1 million first-place check…A closing birdie gave University of Texas All-American Kaitlyn Papp low-amateur honors by two strokes over 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffels and Maja Stark, of Sweden.

Peter Koutroumpis: 401-323-8960, @pksport