Teen golfer Kim Hyo-joo grabbed her first win just two months after turning professional by shooting 11-under 205 to clinch the Hyundai China Ladies Open at the Orient Xiamen Golf Club in Fujian province, China on Sunday.
The 17-year-old fought to the bitter end against 13-year-old Kim Hye-youn, who was aiming for her third straight title at the event. The two were tied until the 17th hole of the third and final round before the older Kim saw her way to victory.
Hyo-joo, who joined the KLPGA as a professional golfer on Oct. 5, set a new record on the Korean ladies Tour by grabbing her first title in the shortest time, requiring just two months and 11 days to achieve the feat. The previous record of two months and 18 days was set by now-retired Kim Mi-hyun, who won the Midopa Women's Open in June 1996.
Hyo-joo, who signed a sponsorship deal in October with Lotte for W500 million, the highest amount ever paid to a rookie in the history of Korean women's golf, has competed in five tournaments so far on the professional circuit.
"I want to improve my game next year by increasing my strength over the winter," she said.
