29 Jan 2020 | Amateur golf |
Kim's Augusta invite arrives
by Golf Australia
- By Justin Falconer
It’s been a week to remember for New South Wales star Grace Kim after the letter of a lifetime arrived in the mail.
The Avondale GC member will tee it up in the second Augusta National Women’s Amateur after qualifying via her world ranking.
That means two rounds of stroke play at Champions Retreat GC in Georgia, before a guaranteed practise round and hopefully a spot in the final day’s field at Augusta National the Saturday before The Masters.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing this,” said Kim.
“I literally screamed in excitement when I told my parents because it was a big goal of mine for this year to play in such a prestigious event.
“I can’t wait to keep doing what I’m doing now and hopefully I can play some good golf over there too!”
Kim will be the lone Australian in this year’s field, with US Women’s Amateur champion Gabi Ruffels skipping the event in favour of the first women’s major of the year, the ANA Inspiration.
Kim will be one of 72 in the 2020 field before the cut is made with only the top 30 advancing to play at Augusta National in Saturday’s final round.
And she'll head to the US in hot form, having reached the semi finals at the recent Australian Amateur Championship before winning last week's NSW Amateur.
The tournament’s debut in 2019 was a raging success, with now LPGA Tour players Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi marking the first all-female tournament round in Augusta’s history with a riveting final round battle.
Julienne Soo was the only Australian to tee it up last year, the Victorian, like Kim, qualifying via her world ranking.
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