Fairways and Greens

Amy Yang qualifies for the US Women's Open
Last month, superstar teen golfer Amy Yang traveled to Hawaii in order to compete at the US Women's Open sectional there. On the line was one spot in the forthcoming US Women's Open. She competed against two other golfers for the spot: 13 year old Maui raised Korean American Kyung Kim, and Miki Ueoka, who just graduated from Kaua'i High School. They played two rounds of golf at Turtle Bay on the Palmer course, the same place where the LPGA's SBS Open takes place.

The results were unsurprising: Amy took the crown and earned the ticket to the Open. Her total score of 7 over par (77-74) beat Kim (77-77) and Ueoka (79-78). Kim was actually tied with Yang after the morning session, but three bogies at the turn in the afternoon session proved the difference. After struggling somewhat in the morning session, Amy really locked in during the afternoon. She was so long off the tee that she hit only five drivers all day and still had mostly short irons for her approaches. All that prevented her from running away from the others were the greens, which were much slower than she was used to playing. Still, she did what she needed to do, and will play her first ever tournament in the United States at the Open. Her goal is to make a top ten. Congratulations to Amy Yang, good luck to her at the US Women's Open, and watch out for the youngster Kyung Kim in the future!

Kim Kim Soars to AJGA title
Kimberly Kim is the sensational teenage prodigy who last year won the US Women's amateur at just 14 years of age. She recently added another prestigious event to her resume when she won the Thunderbird International Junior by eight shots in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Kim Kim's three day total at the event was 206 strokes, or ten under par. This destroyed the previous record of 209 strokes co-held by Belen Mozo and Kraft Nabisco champion Morgan Pressel. This tournament always boasts a stellar field of the best 14 to 18 year old golfers in the world. It is held at the 6,271 yard Grayhawk Golf Club. Kim's final round 67 was the only one in sixties on the day. Finishing second to Kim, eight shots back, was Korean American golfer Vicky Hurst, who shot a 70 on the final day. Look out for Kim Kim to join Amy Yang (and Vicky Hurst) at this year's US Women's Open.

JJ's clothing sponsor Trigelle unveils her new look
Recently, Korean superstar Jeong Jang signed a clothing deal with Trigelle, a women's golf apparel company based in California. JJ loves how the fashionable clothes make her look. We may have seen the last of her signature short shorts, but in their place, expect a line of fashionable clothes that compliment her compact frame nicely. "The team at Trigelle is so devoted to making the best looking golf apparel available, no matter the body type", JJ commented, then added, jokingly, "I love what the line does for me – it even makes me look taller – 5'2” at least!"

Check out the gallery HERE to see more photos of JJ's new golf apparel.

Eun Hee Ji photos
In the United States, Eun Hee Ji is still a somewhat unknown golfer, best known, if at all, for her non-exempt status on the LPGA tour. But she has been focusing on playing on the KLPGA tour in 2007, and has been having an explosively great season. She already has two wins and several more top five finishes on the year, and is trailing only superstar Ji Yai Shin on the money list.

Recently, a Korean newspaper printed a bunch of photos of Ji practicing on the range. Check them out, and a couple of other pics, by clicking HERE.

Se Ri enshrined in the Smithsonian
The biggest news in Se Ri Pak's life recently has been her official qualification for the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame, becoming the first Korean golfer ever so honored. But she received another honor recently almost as impressive. The Smithsonian has opened a new permanent exhibition celebrating the history of Korea, and included in that exhibition is an installation focusing on none other than Se Ri!

At the entrance to the exhibit is the following inscription: "Welcome to Korea, where the past is always present and traditions inspire the future". Se Ri is featured on one panel, entitled 'Korea beyond borders', which celebrates Koreans whose success has been international in scope. Besides a photo of her hitting a shot, there is a biography of her achievements, and a quote, which reads "When I play in a tournament today, I put a Korean flag on my bag and shoes because I'm so proud of my country. It's so small but it's accomplished so much".

Among the other things featured in the exhibit are a satellite photo of Korea at night, showing the difference between the well lit South and the dimly lit North; sections on Korean ceramics; the Korean alphabet, hangul; examples of wooden sculpture; and other cultural artifacts.

Congratulations to Se Ri Pak on yet another auspicious honor!

Money List
Young Kim made a big leap up the money list by winning her first LPGA event at the Corning Classic. Since then she has played pretty well and is continuing to remain among the top golfers on tour. Sarah and Jee Young Lee have also continued their strong play of late, both notching top tens at the last Major.

Meanwhile, three rookies have separated themselves from the others among the Koreans. Na On Min and Angela Park both scored top five finishes at the LPGA Championship and are the top two golfers in the Rookie of the Year standings. In-Kyung Kim also had a top five, but at the Corning Classic, and is third in ROY points.

Se Ri Pak struggled a bit in the weeks leading up to her qualification for the Hall of Fame, but admits now that the hoopla was distracting her. Hopefully, she will return to her strong form in the upcoming Majors.

Seon Hwa Lee and Jeong Jang are two Koreans who are quietly having good years, albeit not at the high levels they usually attain. But they are slowly improving and may soon be challenging to win tournaments again.