GIANT EAGLE LPGA CLASSIC Ohio kind to defending champion

Mi Hyun Kim participated in the tournament's media day Monday at Squaw Creek.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- The defending Giant Eagle LPGA Classic champion, Mi Hyun Kim, was in the Valley Monday, to take part in the tournament's media day at Squaw Creek Country Club.
Kim, a 26-year-old South Korean who posted a 14-under-par 202 total last year to capture first place and the prize check, said she loves to be back in Ohio.
The fifth-year LPGA Tour player enjoys the courses in Ohio, evidenced by the fact won both LPGA events in the Buckeye State last season, at Squaw Creek and the Wendy's Championship for Children in Dublin.
"When I hit the ball off the grass here it feels good and if comes out nice and round like a pizza," she said. "Most courses have so much sand in their base that the divot comes out all crumbly in pieces. It just feels so much better."
Won by stroke
Last year at Squaw Creek, Kim stayed in contention through the first two rounds, and then, playing in the final group with Kelly Robbins, made her move on the back nine and won by one stroke.
"There are so many good memories here," she said. "The crowds were great and I just love the golf course. It really fits my game."
Kim has won five times on the LPGA Tour, including two in her rookie season in 1999 when she won both the State Farm Classic and the First Union Betsy King Classic. She has already topped the $3 million mark in career earnings.
Her other Tour victory came in 2000 at the Safeway LPGA Classic when she won a playoff against Jong Jang. Kim was 1999 LPGA Rookie of the Year.
One top-10 finish
This season in five events she has one top-10 finish and over $87,000 in winnings.
She has made the cut in all five events to run her string to 50, dating back to the 2001 season. In fact, in the five years she has been on tour Kim has missed the cut only six times, and four of those came in her rookie year.
Kim said her game is starting to come around this season.
"I changed clubs at the beginning of this season and I'm really just starting to feel good with them now," she said.
Last year at the Giant Eagle Tournament Kim tried a new set of clubs on Tuesday of tournament week and stayed with them for the tournament.
Last season Kim was one of five LPGA players to earn over $1 million on tour, finishing with $1,049,993 to rank fourth on the money list.
Looking forward to it
She said that she can't wait to get back here to defend her title and to play the golf course.
"The win here and the other Ohio event really set my year up great," she said. "I feel comfortable playing this course and when I do I usually play well."
The 5-foot-1, 100-pound performer isn't among the long hitters on tour which is why she likes Squaw Creek.
"Here you don't have to be real long to score," she added. "There are a lot of tight holes and I usually keep the ball pretty straight."
Her rankings
Her driving average on tour is 250.6 yards, which ranks 116th, but she's 11th in putting, 10th in sand saves and 17th in driving accuracy. This season she has played 10 of 18 holes under par.
The Giant Eagle Classic will be played at Squaw Creek on June 9-15.
Besides Kim, four other past champions have already committed to play in the event, including two-time champions Tammie Green, Michelle McGann and Dorothy Delasin, and 1999 champion Jackie Gallagher-Smith.
Other early commitments have come from Beth Bauer, Natalie Gulbis, Lori Kane, Cristi Kerr, Robbins, Kelli Kuehne, Janice Moodie, Lorena Ochoa, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Michele Redman and Rachel Teske.
mollica@vindy.com