Stunning 61 has rolled into Korean gold

by David Tease | Golf NSW

Grace Kim on the medal podium after receiving her gold.

Grace Kim is literally & # 39; in gold & # 39; came home after claiming the International Women's Golf Title at the 100th Korean National Games, and with that a new career best round of 61.

Kim, the highest ranked female amateur in Australia, walked away with the individual title with rounds of 67-65 and the aforementioned 61 final round to win with no fewer than 19 shots.

Her 11-under-par 61 also included a front nine of just 28 at the Dream Park Country Club course in Incheon, near Seoul.

The National Games are the largest athletics competition in Korea and show the talent of both national and international athletes in different sports. More than 20,000 participants took part this year.

Although the golf tournament did not carry much weight in terms of international rankings, Kim said it was an important event at home.

"Koreans treat it as big as the Olympics!"

"I went to and played as an international athlete of Korean background.

"I had never played in Korea before, so I wanted to see what it was like," said Avondale Golf Club tyro. "It was different than here."

Those were also some of the tournament conditions. Spectators were not allowed to follow the players and the Internationals played a separate tournament from the Korean National Selection. It made it a bit difficult to estimate how well she could have performed against the best locals.

“The leading girl in the (Korean) national section shot -22. We were completely separate from them. "

Yet Kim agreed that the week was a great experience.

"It was still good to improve my short game, and a real self-confidence amplifier knowing that I can handle the conditions in Korea.

"And photographing a new personal record of 61," Kim grinned.

It might not have been the hardest way, but it still felt good. "