Sei Young Kim shatters LPGA scoring mark
Sei Young Kim makes LPGA history by finishing Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic at 31-under, winning by nine shots and setting a new scoring record.
Sei Young Kim wasn’t satisfied with sharing the LPGA scoring record. So on Sunday she went out and shattered it.
The 25-year-old Kim shot a seven-under 65 in the final round of the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in Wisconsin, setting a new LPGA record by finishing 31-under for the tournament.
Kim already shared the scoring record with Annika Sorenstam when she won the 2016 Founders Cup at 27-under. Sorenstam originally set the mark in 2001 at the same tournament she became the only LPGA player to shoot 59.
This week Kim became the first golfer in LPGA history to reach 30 under-par with a 12-foot birdie putt at the 12th. She made another birdie at the 15th and finished with three pars to close out her seventh career win.
Kim left her mark all over the record book this week. Her score of 257 is also an LPGA-best, breaking the old record of 258 held by three players. She also had the most under-par holes in an LPGA tournament, recording 31 birdies and an eagle. The only blemish on her scorecard was a double bogey during the second round.
“It’s an incredible score. I would have never thought I would shoot 31 under this week. I don’t believe it’s real,” she told LPGA.com after the round.
Kim says the key to her play this week was staying composed and focused. She admits, however, that the pressure started to build once the record was in view.
“Very special this week. I’m really calm and comfortable and relaxed. Except the last three holes,” she said.
Carlota Ciganda finished alone in second place after a final-round 64. The day ended with a disappointing double bogey on the last hole, however, and she fell to nine shots behind Kim.
With the win, Kim joins Brooke Henderson as the only LPGA players to get a victory in the last four seasons. She had bigger goals, though. She admits that ever since she tied Sorenstam’s mark two years ago it has been a goal of hers to get it all by herself.
“After I shoot the tie with Annika Sorenstam, after I set new goals. I really wanted to break up the course record,” she said. “I did it today, I’m really happy with that.”
She can now say she stands alone in LPGA history.