“I don’t care about the world No. 1, I just want to do my thing.”
Kim Min-sol (17-Susung Bangtongo 2), the youngest member of the Korean women’s golf team competing at the Hangzhou Asian Games, expressed her confidence as she takes on the likes of world No. 1 Yin Luning (China). Despite the presence of some of the world’s top players at the Asian Games, she vowed to play well and not be intimidated by the fact that she has reached the peak of her game.
Kim finished tied for fifth at the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour’s OK Savings Bank Women’s Open at Club 72 in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Sunday with a three-day total of 13-under par 203, two shots behind winner Madasom (15-under par 201). It was Kim’s third top-10 finish in five tournaments against professional players this year, giving her plenty of confidence heading into the Asian Games.
Kim made an early splash last October when she tied for 10th at the BMW Ladies Championship on the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour at Oak Valley Golf Course in Wonju, Korea, and continued her steady play with a fourth-place finish at the 37th Korea Women’s Open, the country’s most prestigious major, hosted by the Korea Golf Association in June, a ninth-place finish at the KLPGA Tour’s Doosan Construction Weave Championship in August, and a fifth-place finish at this tournament.
“My back has been bothering me lately, but after taking a week off, I feel energized, and I think I’m getting better and better before the Asian Games,” Kim said after the match, adding, “I will definitely aim for gold at the Asian Games and do my best.” Kim will attempt to win the individual and team titles in the 72-hole stroke play Asian Games golf at the West Lake International Golf Club in Hangzhou from Aug. 28. He will be joined by Yoo Hyun-jo (Cheonan Jungang Bangtongo 3) and Lim Ji-yu (Suseong Bangtongo 3), who are one year ahead of him.
The South Korean women’s team will be looking to win their first team title since the 2006 Doha Asian Games and their first individual gold since the 2012 Incheon Asian Games, and host China will be their toughest opponent. With two wins this season and a recent world No. 1 ranking, Yin Lunying, as well as LPGA players Lin Shiyu (No. 12) and Liu Yu (No. 136), the 바카라 team is determined to win two gold medals. Aditi Ashok (India) and Jen Bei-Yun (Chinese Taipei) will also compete on the LPGA.
“I recently heard that the world’s No. 1 player is coming to Korea,” said Kim, who smiled in disbelief, “but I’m not going to let that stop me from doing my job.” Kim will depart for China with the national team on May 25.