Highlights and Lowlights

Mi Hyun Calls it a week
Mi Hyun Kim has played every event in 2004, so sooner or later, you knew she was going to run out of steam. That happened at the Corning Classic. After a fairly good opening 69, she followed with an even par 72. That in itself is not so bad, but it was on Saturday where things really went south. She opened her round with two bogeys, but recovered with two birdies shortly after that. Then she hit the wall, and had seven more bogeys to shoot her worst round of the season, a 79. This on the same day that Shi Hyun Ahn managed a 66. Kimmie ended up dropping out of the event after this, citing an elbow injury. An injury of that sort would certainly explain her disastrous turn on the final 13 holes, but it couldn't have helped her that she had played so relentlessly since March. In any event, let's hope she takes a few days off next week and comes back to the second Major of the year ready to contend.

Another Young One Speaks!
Speaks with her clubs, that is. Last week, we had two 'Young' players, Young Kim and Young-A Yang, have their best finishes of 2004 (for Young Kim, it was also her career best finish). This week, it was Soo Young Moon's turn to make a mark for the Young players on tour. Moon, who is a literal young one, having turned 20 only a few months ago, focused primarily on the Futures Tour in 2003, which was also her rookie year on the LPGA tour. That proved to be a good idea, as she almost immediately won on that tour. But after a few more solid events, she had a car accident that sidelined her for a couple of months in the middle of the season. Fortunately, she was able to come back from that, notch another win, and finish second on the Futures Tour money list to Stacy Prammanasudh.

In 2004, however, it has been Prammanasudh who has gotten most of the attention, with Soo Young Moon struggling. She has admitted in interviews that she does not really feel comfortable yet on the LPGA tour, and that she preferred the quieter Futures Tour. Her results showed it; though she had made a few cuts, she was hovering around 100th on the money list most of the year.

What a difference a week makes! At the Corning Classic, Moon finally brought her A-game to the LPGA. She followed up a so so 73 with an explosive 66 on Friday that included an eagle and five birdies against a lone bogey. She had more brilliance on Saturday, finishing with birdies on 4 of her last 7 holes, then birdieing five of her first nine holes on Sunday to vault onto the leaderboard. She ended up finishing in a tie for 4th, easily her best LPGA finish and good enough to move her to 55th on the money list. A few more finishes like that, and I'll be able to start using headlines like 'The Moon also Rises' around here!

Soo Young Kim looking sleek!
Hey, has anyone seen a recent picture of Soo Young Kim? I have, and I have to say I didn't recognize her! Kim was forced to shorten her rookie year in 2003 because of an injury. She has come back in 2004, but hasn't played all that well so far. She did make a little money for herself at Corning with a tie for 73rd. But more importantly, it looks like she has come back in better shape than she was in when she left. She took advantage of her down time to get on a fitness regimen. I wouldn't be surprised if it pays dividends and we see Soo Young become yet another successful Young One out on tour!

Jang's Top 11 Streak
Jeong Jang has not yet had a great tournament in 2004, but she's certainly getting close. Last week at Sybase, she just missed a top ten with an 11th place finish. Well, lookie here: the same thing happened in Corning! Playing with Soo Young Moon in the final round, Jang couldn't quite get over the hump, shooting a 2 under par 70 to finish tied for 11th for the second straight week. Chin up, JJ! That top ten is right around the corner!

At Corning they were weak
Young Kim was not able to extend her great play from Sybase. Last week she finished with her career best, a tie for 4th, but this week could only manage a tie for 69th. Soo Yun Kang is still looking for a little consistency, after missing another cut. Christina Kim and Jung Yeon Lee only had average events for themselves, although Lee was near the leaderboard for a while before faltering on the weekend.

Mi Hyun dropped out of this week's
event with a sore elbow

Soo Young Moon in round 2

Before: Soo Young in 2003
(click to enlarge)

After: She's lost a bit
of weight!
(click to enlarge)

Jeong Jang is starting to play better