Anthony Kim

Twenty-three-year-old phenom Anthony Kim wasn’t blown too far from the No.1 spot at the British Open on July 20. He placed 7th, tying with Paul Casey and former champion Ben Curtis. While Kim had to repeatedly move his ball’s marker as the wind blew it back from its initial landing, causing some discrepancies, rules officials declared there was no penalty and Kim went on to shoot a 71 and 7-over-par 217.

 

Though Padraig Harrington of Ireland won the tournament, Kim reveled in his first time playing on seaside links. “I grew up [in Los Angeles] playing where the conditions weren’t the best and your lies weren’t the greatest,” Kim told The Washington Post. “This is awesome.”

 

In Bee Park

This Queen Bee is creating a major buzz throughout the Korean golf community. At age 19, In Bee Park became the youngest ever to win the U.S. Women’s Open, dethroning fellow Korean player Se Ri Pak, who previously held that record. But there’s no hint of smugness in the rising star. In fact, Pak’s 1998 record-breaking win was Park’s inspiration to pick up golf in the first place.

 

“Ten years ago, I was watching her winning this event on TV,” Pak told USA Today after her victory on June 29. “I didn’t know anything about golf back then. But I was watching her. It was very impressive for a little girl. I just thought that I could do it, too.”

 

In spite of her breakout success, the Henderson, Nev. resident is keeping a low profile. She withdrew from the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic the week of July 7 through 13, to celebrate her 20th birthday instead.

 

Michelle Wie

The clubs just don’t seem to be swinging in Michelle Wie’s favor. The 18-year-old Honolulu native was disqualified at the State Farm Classic on July 20 in Springfield, Ill. for not signing her scorecard at the end of the third round. Up until then, she was in second place at one shot behind Yani Tseng of Taiwan with a good chance of winning and playing her best game this year.

 

The LPGA’s regulations state that players must sign their scorecards at the end of each round before leaving the course grounds. Wie was already away from the scoring area when a volunteer chased her down and told her of her mistake. 

“It’s just really unfortunate,” said a teary-eyed Wie during a press meet after the third round. “I don’t know why or how it happened.”

 

Wie made a similar mistake back in 2005 at the Samsung World Championship for signing an incorrect scorecard. As she prepares to play in the Canadian Women’s Open Aug. 14 and 15, let’s hope a third time won’t make a charm.