"What I learned from college is that what I really want to do with my time is play golf." - Kimberly Kim
Kim, 18, announced today she is turning pro and will play in the U.S. Women's Open in two weeks as a professional. She had previously stated she wouldn't be returning to college - no surprise after hearing that quote, eh? - at the University of Denver, where she played only one season.
Kim won the 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur championship at age 14, and lost in the championship match at three later USGA championships. She played on two Curtis Cup teams.
It will be interesting to see how Kim fares at the professional level. She obviously had a great career at the amateur level, but she's never posted the strong showings in pro events that others like her (say, Alexis Thompson and Jennifer Song) have. In some ways, it seems as if she hasn't progressed much since age 14. Kim does have length, which is a big advantage in women's golf, but her putting is suspect. (A common lament in golf!)
Kim's final amateur tournament was the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship, which concluded today with 18-year-old Emily Tubert def. 18-year-old Lisa McCloskey, 3 and 2. Kim was knocked out in the Round of 16.
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