Title: Kim Hyo-joo Aims for Maiden Major Championship Victory after Nine Years
South Korean golfer, Kim Hyo-joo, fondly known as the ‘Girl Genius,’ is determined to clinch her first major championship in nearly a decade.
In the second round of the prestigious US Women’s Open held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California, Kim Hyo-joo showcased her exceptional skills. She carded 4 birdies and 3 bogeys, finishing the day with an impressive 1-under par 71.
With a combined score of 5-under par 139, Kim Hyo-joo is currently tied for second place alongside Alison Corpers of the USA. She trails behind the leader, Bailey Tardi, by a mere two strokes.
While Kim Hyo-joo couldn’t significantly reduce her stroke count, her position in the tournament presents her with a golden opportunity to compete for the championship. If she emerges victoriously, it will mark her first major title since her triumph at the 2014 Evian Championship as a non-member.
Despite excelling with an impressive 85.71% fairway landing rate, her green hitting rate dropped slightly to 61.11%. This struggle with the small greens persisted from the first round, where she managed to hit the green only 11 times. Moreover, her iron shots have not been as accurate as desired, resulting in 27 snippets over the course of two days.
Kim Hyo-joo’s round began on a sour note with a bogey on the 10th hole, but she quickly redeemed herself with a birdie on the 12th hole. She then went on to add birdies on holes 16, 18, and 1. However, consecutive bogeys on the 8th and 9th holes in the second half shook her momentum.
Reflecting on her performance, Kim Hyo-joo stated, “The start was promising, and I am quite satisfied. While today’s round wasn’t as exceptional as yesterday’s, I managed to avoid any major mistakes. However, I’m not entirely content with the conclusion. Tomorrow is a fresh day, and I will begin with a renewed mindset.”
Regarding the morning game on the back nine, Kim Hyo-joo revealed, “Initially, I didn’t feel at ease, but I was able to recover and regain my rhythm, resulting in consistent birdies and playing my usual game.”
In the current standings, Yoo Hae-ran holds fourth place individually with a score of 3-under par, followed by Jeon In-ji and Shin Ji-ae in a tie for seventh place, both with an even average. However, the top-ranked golfer in the world, Ko Jin-young, finished at 7-over par and missed the cut by one stroke. American golfer Nellie Korda made the cut, surpassing the required 6-over par by finishing at 5 over par.
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‘Girl genius’ Kim Hyo-joo (28) is aiming to win a major championship for the first time in 9 years.
Kim Hyo-joo recorded 4 birdies and 3 bogeys in the second round of the US Women’s Open (total prize money of 11 million dollars) held at Pebble Beach Golf Links (par 72) in Monterey, California on the 8th (Korea time) , recording a 1 under par 71 stroke
Kim Hyo-joo, who recorded an interim total of 5 under par 139 strokes, was tied for second place with Alison Corpers (USA). He is two strokes behind singles leader Bailey Tardi (USA).
Although the number of strokes could not be greatly reduced, the opportunity to compete for the championship continued as he was ahead. If Kim Hyo-joo wins the US Women’s Open, it will be the first time in about 9 years since she topped the 2014 Evian Championship as a non-member.
The fairway landing rate was excellent at 85.71%, but the green hitting rate dropped slightly to 61.11%. Even in the first round, he kept the green only 11 times. I was struggling with small greens. For two days, the iron shot does not follow well. The number of snippets was 27.
Kim Hyo-joo, who started with a bogey on the 10th hole (par 4), made up for it with a birdie on the 12th hole (par 3). After that, the number of strokes decreased by adding birdies in holes 16 (par 4), holes 18 (par 5), and hole 1 (par 4). After holding a joint lead, he was shaken by consecutive bogeys on the 8th and 9th holes in the second half.
Kim Hyo-joo said, “The beginning was good. Very good and satisfied It wasn’t as good as yesterday, but there were no major mistakes. I didn’t make any mistakes on the last two holes, but I don’t feel good. Tomorrow is another new day, so I will start with a new mindset.”
“I played the game on the back nine in the morning, but I didn’t feel good because I was looking from the start. But I managed to recover and after that I managed to continue to birdie and play normally again,” he added.
Yoo Hae-ran (22) was in fourth place alone with an interim total of 3 under par, while Jeon In-ji (29) and Shin Ji-ae tied for 7th place with an even average. World No. 1 Ko Jin-young (28) finished at 7-over par and was eliminated from the cut by one stroke. Nellie Korda (USA) surpassed the cut standard of 6 over par with 5 over par.
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