Amateur Kim trails by one after three round of Evian Masters
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Amateur Kim trails by one after three round of Evian Masters

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It's been 43 years since an amateur has won on the LPGA Tour. Korean teen Hyo Joo Kim is in position to break that streak on Sunday at the Evian Masters.

The 17-year-old shot her second 3-under 69 of the week in the third round to trail co-leaders Stacy Lewis and Inbee Park by a shot at 10 under par.

Four other players in LPGA history have won as amateurs, but the last to do it was JoAnne Carner in the 54-hole Burdine’s Invitational in 1969. The other three players did so in 72-hole events:

  • Polly Riley, 1950 Tampa Open
  • Pat O’Sullivan, 1951 Titleholders Championship
  • Catherine LaCoste, 1967 U.S. Women’s Open

If Kim wins on Sunday, however, it would not be her first win in a pro event. She won twice as a 16-year-old, taking the Lotte Mart Championship on the Korean LPGA in February. In May, she won the Suntori Ladies to become the youngest winner in Japanese LPGA history.

Kim intends to turn pro in her home country in October at the LPGA's KEB-Hana Bank Championship.

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Ryan Ballengee

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