Kim Seo-ah, a 14-year-old "long-drive girl" in her second year of middle school, extended her sensational run by reaching the top of the leaderboard for a second straight day in her first appearance at a Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour event.
Kim shot a 3-under-par 69 with four birdies and one bogey in the second round of the Suntory Ladies Open (total purse 150 million yen), hosted by Ai Miyazato, at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club (par 72) in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Thursday. After stunning the Japanese golf world by firing a 9-under on the opening day to take the sole lead, she turned at the halfway point of the tournament in solo second place with a 12-under-par 132 total.
She ceded the lead to Shiho Kuwaki of Japan (15-under), who shaved seven strokes off her score on the day, but Kim remains in a position to contend for the title over the remaining two days. Kuwaki has four career tour victories, including one this season.
Kim, who took up golf just four years ago, has drawn attention for the long drives generated by her tall frame (171 cm) and her aggressive play. In April, she tied for fourth at the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour's The Siena Open. Her entry into this tournament came on a recommendation from the Korea Golf Association, which received an invitation from the organizers.
Having proven her run was no fluke by carding an under-par score for a second day, Kim would rewrite the JLPGA Tour's youngest-winner record if she takes the title. That mark of 15 years and 176 days was set by Lee Hyo-song at the 2024 World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup. The top two finishers in this tournament also earn berths in the AIG Women's Open, a women's golf major.
Behind Kim, a group of five players including Kana Nagai and Shina Kanazawa, both of Japan, are tied for third at 10-under.
