U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 13, 1999

Jimin Kang

JIMIN KANG: Well, last year Grace Park win this tournament, and I got to go to finals. So, it's really exciting. And for being Korean, also. I got phone calls from Korea from television channels, and they cheered me up. I was like: "Thank you." But they called me at like 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. I've got to go to bed. "Well, we just wanted to wish you good luck." I was like: "Thank you."

JIMIN KANG: Yes.

JIMIN KANG: 10:30 to 11:00.

JIMIN KANG: I couldn't go to bed.

JIMIN KANG: There's one phone call, but there's like so many people like changing and talking to me.

JIMIN KANG: Three or four.

JIMIN KANG: No. I didn't know them. It was like: My name is da-da-da, nice meeting you. And I was like: Yes.

JIMIN KANG: I hope not.

JIMIN KANG: Well, she plays really good. But, like, I think I was kind of a little more luckier than her. Because first, she just didn't play well; that's why I won. And then 2nd hole, the same situation. And then No. 3, she made the putt, and I was like: Okay, I cannot lose. I have to make this putt. That was a really tough putt. I was kind of impressed that I made that putt.

JIMIN KANG: It was really short. But it was like downhill and like this. I was like: Okay, I have to get really, really right.

JIMIN KANG: No, it's more than that. It's like probably six, seven, downhill right-to-left.

JIMIN KANG: Not really, no.

JIMIN KANG: It's the same. I said, like, I try not to think of how the score is going on, because if I keep going with like my scores, I get too excited; so, I don't play well enough. It's like, yeah, I'm 3-up after -- yeah, right. My mom is trying to calm me down: Don't forget the whole thing; we have to get one hole at a time. That's all I did.

JIMIN KANG: E-U-N-H-A-E.

JIMIN KANG: Yes.

JIMIN KANG: Maybe. (Laughter.)

JIMIN KANG: Only thing I remember, I made eagle, and I won that hole. After that, I was total loss. She makes birdie, birdie, birdie -- boom. That's all I remember. And that was the first match I ever played before.

JIMIN KANG: Yeah.

JIMIN KANG: Yes.

JIMIN KANG: I'm 19 years old now. Then, probably 17 -- no, 16.

JIMIN KANG: Well, I just learn how match goes a little bit. Okay, match is like every single hole is more important, okay. That's all.

JIMIN KANG: Probably not. I was like: Okay, I have to make this putt. Actually, I was chipping. I just try to win.

JIMIN KANG: Carry the bag. (Laughter.)

JIMIN KANG: Well, it's true. (Laughter.)

JIMIN KANG: Yeah, she just try to make me feel more comfortable.

JIMIN KANG: Well, see, I know that I can make the putts. But I couldn't read it right, and I miss the putt, and I get frustrated. My mom is like: Okay, you still get par here. I'm like: I'm done; I'm okay.

JIMIN KANG: It's natural.

JIMIN KANG: I'm not like that kind of person.

JIMIN KANG: That is Korean way. I'm kind of more like--

JIMIN KANG: Kind of, yeah.

JIMIN KANG: Probably different personality. I'm kind of, like, hang out with the friends more. I like to make more friends, you know. But she's kind of like --

JIMIN KANG: Yeah. I know her. She's a friend of mine.

JIMIN KANG: (Nods.)

JIMIN KANG: I try to call her, but she's always busy.

JIMIN KANG: I was like: What am I doing? I thought I was going to go to No. 17. And then she putted, and I was like: Oh, what is she doing? I was kind of lucky.

JIMIN KANG: Professional golfer?

JIMIN KANG: When I was amateur, one of the senior coach, he ask my parents, like -- my parents are like: No. She needs more study. So I stopped it. At the school during P.E. class I was really good at P.E., everything. So P.E. teacher said I want you to do some sports. So I asked my parents, all I want to do is being athletic. My parents were like: Why don't you try golf. I was like "Okay." That's how I started.

JIMIN KANG: 13.

JIMIN KANG: I love to play golf. And just being on the field, it just let me out and practice whatever I do. They don't worry about: Like you need practice. They never say that because I just do it. I really enjoy doing it. So my parents are like whenever I win, they say: Oh, good job, I'm so proud of you.

JIMIN KANG: Yeah, when I was in Korea.

JIMIN KANG: Yes, it is.

JIMIN KANG: Well, when I was in Junior, they knew me, but I was -- I think they knew me. I don't know. I haven't go back to Korea for a while.

JIMIN KANG: Yeah, nowadays.

JIMIN KANG: Well, my dad just asked me questions and I answer it, and he tell every single newspaper writer; so I don't know.

JIMIN KANG: Whenever I go to game, tournament.

JIMIN KANG: No, not at all.

JIMIN KANG: You know, that's a good question, but I don't know, either.

You know, I didn't get any nervous at U.S. Open, either. Everyone said: Are you nervous? First I shot 70 and second day I shot 79. They said, "Did you get nervous on the second day?" I said: "I was sick; that's why I didn't play well." I was excited play with LPGA professional golfers.

JIMIN KANG: Not nowadays. Probably at beginning of the -- when I started playing golf.

JIMIN KANG: I wasn't nervous. I was frustrated. Really frustrated.

JIMIN KANG: I hit the top of the hole and went way past the hole.

JIMIN KANG: I hit it really thin.

JIMIN KANG: Maybe not.

JIMIN KANG: North Carolina -- no, no. North Dakota or South Dakota. I don't know. It's a long time ago.

JIMIN KANG: Well, I haven't seen her for a while. At that time she was a great player. Looking forward to playing with her tomorrow.

JIMIN KANG: You know when I went to U.S. Open, that was like way more. Whenever you get off the practice green or driver range, everyone is like coming up to you: Can I get autograph. Okay. It was fun doing it.

JIMIN KANG: Yeah.

JIMIN KANG: English. I can write Korean. Well, they probably don't understand.