Updated at 4:45 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Defending champ Kimberly Kim advances, faces Kaneko
Advertiser Staff
Defending champion Kimberly Kim flirted with elimination before advancing at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship today at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.Kim, a 15-year old former Big Island resident now living in Arizona, finished with a two-round total of 2-over 146 to tie for 22nd and advance out of stroke play. Kim was 5-over through 27 holes before going 3-under on the final nine holes.
The top 64 golfers advanced to tomorrow's match play with the cutoff made at 7-over 151. Kim, who became the tournament's youngest champion at 14 last year, will face Sacred Hearts senior Ayaka Kaneko. Kaneko, who shot a 71 in the morning to complete a weather-delayed first round, went 5-over 77 in the second to finish at 148 and tied for 37th.
Also advancing was Kamehameha alumna and Stanford player Mari Chun, who shot a 4-over 76 in the second round to finish at 3-over 147 and tied for 30th. Chun will face Michelle Shin of Florida to start match play.
Punahou junior Anna Jang, this year's state golf champion, finished at 18-over 162 and tied for 133rd. Jang was 2-over through eight holes when play was suspended due to thunderstorms yesterday. Hawai'i Prep senior Tamara Surtees finished 153rd at 25-over 169.
Stacy Lewis of Texas and Kristina Wong of California both shot a 5-under 139 to share medalist honors.
