Tag: South Korea

South Korea captures Women’s World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi

The United States finished T-6 after the low final round of 8-under 136.

South Korea and Spain went into the final round of the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship tied. At the end of the day, it was Korea hoisting the Espirito Santo Trophy for the fifth time.

Korea fired the second-lowest round of the day, a 5-under 139, pulling away from the field to capture the 2023 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship on Saturday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Korea finished at 22-under 554 for the tournament, four shots clear of Chinese Taipei and five in front of Spain, which shot even par in the final round.

The United States finished T-6 after the low final round of 8-under 136, tying with Australia at 15 under. Auburn commit Anna Davis, the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner, shot 6 under for the tournament. Megan Schofill, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, and Rachel Kuehn each finished at 4 under.

Cindy Hsu, a sophomore at Texas from Chinese Taipei, won the individual competition, shooting 13-under 275. She topped Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio, a freshman at Texas A&M and No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, by two shots.

Korea’s highest finisher was Kyorim Seo, who placed third at 10 under.

The WATC is a biennial competition comprised of two or three golfers from 36 countries playing four days of stroke play with the two lowest scores every day being counted.

Minjee Lee claims 10th career LPGA title in a playoff at BMW Ladies Championship

Lee is now the third player from Australia to reach double-digits LPGA victories.

Minjee Lee recorded her 10th career victory at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea in a playoff over Alison Lee. It was a rematch of the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Junior final, which Minjee happened to win as well.

“I was like, this kind of feels familiar,” said the 27-year-old Aussie.

Minjee became the fifth player this season to win multiple titles when she drained a 6-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole. The American Alison Lee, a former top-ranked amateur, is still waiting on her maiden LPGA victory. Minjee won Cincinnati’s Kroger Queen City Championship in September.

“Out of all the places, Korea was always at the top of my list because my parents are Korean and I have a heritage to Korea,” said Minjee. “This one is special, and especially having all of my family and extended family and friends coming out to cheer for me today, it was really cool to see them on the sidelines when I was walking down. It was great that I was able to win today.”

Minjee earned $330,000 for her victory, giving her $1,552,475 for the season. It’s her second victory in her last three starts. She is now the third player from Australia to reach double digits in tour victories, joining Jan Stephenson (16) and Karrie Webb (41).

A two-time major winner who has now won in each of her last three LPGA seasons, Minjee closed with a 4-under 68 at Seowon Hills at Seowon Valley Country Club to finish at 16 under while Alison, a former UCLA standout, birdied her last two holes in regulation to shoot 67.

“I feel like I’m hitting it so well and I had so many putts this week lip out,” said Alison, “and I can’t stop thinking about all those small mistakes that I potentially made.”

Lydia Ko, playing on a sponsor invite, closed with a third consecutive 69 to finish third, two strokes back. The season has been largely a struggle for Ko, who hadn’t previously cracked the top 10 since February in Thailand.

“I feel like I’ve been moving in the right direction and felt like I was moving in the right direction, but the results weren’t really a good reflection of that,” said Ko, who won the BMW last year. “So at least this week is a confirmation to say, hey, it’s not dead yet.”

American Angel Yin, who won her first LPGA title last week in Shanghai, closed with a 67 to finish fourth.

South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai came into the final round tied with Minjee at 12 under but dropped to a share of 13th after a final-round 74. Buhai did win $10,000 in unofficial money from the tournament for setting a BMW scoring record of 10-under 62 in the first round.

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Defending his Shriners title is one thing, but will Tom Kim have to defend South Korea? Maybe

While he’s feeling some extra juice this week as a former champ, it will likely pale in comparison to future pressure.

LAS VEGAS — Sure, there’s a little added pressure for Tom Kim this week as he prepares for his first defense of a PGA Tour title, something he couldn’t do while injured during the 2023 Wyndham Championship.

Kim was all smiles during a media session Tuesday at the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin, reminiscing about last year’s scintillating performance when he became the second youngest player to win twice on the PGA Tour since Ralph Guldahl in 1932, the first since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice before turning 21, and just the second winner on Tour since Lee Trevino in 1974 to play 72 holes without recording a bogey.

But while he’s feeling some extra juice this week as a former champ, it will pale in comparison to the pressure he’ll face when he plays in the Olympics and/or the Asian Games.

Less than two weeks ago, Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im helped their native South Korea win the gold medal in golf. That gave the PGA Tour pros an exemption from the two-year mandatory military service that the country requires.

All able-bodied males are obligated to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military once they turn 19. They can postpone the date of their service but without a significant cultural justification, like an Olympic medal, service is mandatory.

That means Kim, who hails from Seoul and is now 21, will need to pull off a similar feat or he’ll be forced into military duty.

“That’s a great question,” Kim said when asked about his status on Tuesday. “We’ll know more in the future.”

He hasn’t played since the Tour Championship, but it has been a banner year for the phenom, one that’s seen Kim post top-25 finishes in each of his last five starts, including a T-2 at the Open at Royal Liverpool. But that still won’t be enough to get him out of the obligation.

And while some have come back from active duty to compete on the PGA Tour, some struggled after the time away. Seung Yul-Noh and Sang-Moon Bae are two Korean golfers who won on Tour but haven’t been able to regain their form after taking two years away from competition.

“So obviously those medals help. I think it depends on which medal. As I’m aware, with them having achieving gold they have exemptions for the military,” Kim said. “Asian Games looks like it is gold, but I think from the Olympics, from what I’m aware, a medal should take care of it.”

For now, Kim is simply vying to become only the second player to win the Shriners in consecutive years. Jim Furyk holds the distinction of being the only player to win the event in back-to-back seasons when he did so in 1998 and then again in 1999.

And according to the oddsmakers, many of whom work just a few miles east of Summerlin on the Vegas Strip, Kim is the favorite to win again, edging out Ludvig Aberg. While Kim can certainly muster a defense, it’s unlikely he’ll navigate the course without a bogey again as he did last year. Aside from Kim, only J.T. Poston has played an entire four rounds without a blip in the last half-century when he did so at the 2019 Wyndham.

“It’s definitely not an expectation to have this week,” Kim said. “It’s so easy to set them so high because I didn’t make a single bogey, 24 birdies, and you kind of have a feeling where you need to do it again.

“Bogeys happen. I can’t try to not make a bogey.”

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Under pressure after four games, Klinsmann says Korea job ‘huge learning curve’

The former USMNT is already on the hot seat after just six months in charge

Jürgen Klinsmann has admitted he’s faced a “huge learning curve” during his brief stint as South Korea head coach.

Klinsmann has been in the job for just six months, but is already under pressure after failing to win any of his four games in charge so far.

Draws against Colombia and El Salvador, and defeats at the hands of Uruguay and Peru, have ramped up the pressure on the former U.S. men’s national team coach ahead of friendlies against Wales and Saudi Arabia.

At a press conference ahead of Thursday’s match against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, Klinsmann said he was happy with the progress his team showed in his first four games despite a lack of results.

“I think we did quite well the first four games,” the former Germany international said. “We didn’t get the results, but I was pleased with the way the team showed up and dominated all four games.

“We didn’t have Sonny (Son Heung-min) in the last two games because of his injury, and we didn’t have (Kim) Min-jae either, but for me, it’s a huge learning curve. I want to see the progress happening with every game. I want to win absolutely, no doubt about it, but the must-win comes in Qatar (host of January’s Asian Cup).”

Klinsmann has been criticized in South Korea not only for the team’s results, but also the fact he’s continued living in Los Angeles during his tenure as head coach of the Taegeuk Warriors.

Korean media calculated that Klinsmann has spent just 67 days in the Asian country since his appointment in February.

“The fans are very disappointed with the fact he is spending most of his time in the USA rather than in Korea,” South Korea journalist Lee Sung-mo told the BBC.

“[K-League] games are being played every week, and there are many talented young players there,” said Lee. “The fans expect the manager to visit to see them himself and communicate with fans, K-League clubs and players.”

In a press conference last month, Klinsmann defended his decision to spend most of his time away from the country he is coaching.

“Maybe it’s something new to people that are used to doing it differently. I don’t blame anybody when they say, ‘Where is he?'” Klinsmann said. “The work of a national team coach is international. I need to know what goes on in Europe. I need to be in touch with the coaches of the [Korean] players in Europe.

“I am a workaholic. I love to work like Koreans love to work. If I’m not maybe 24/7 in the country, I still work 24/7.”

On Wednesday, Klinsmann acknowledged the criticism of the team’s on-field displays, adding that it comes with the territory.

“That is normal,” he said. “You can also win all four games in the beginning and there will be still criticism — maybe the way you play, maybe the way the team plays, maybe the way you sub, maybe whatever. That is part of your job. You’ve got to live with criticism every day, probably 80% of your paycheck is that everybody’s allowed to tell you what to do. But it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a wonderful experience so far.”

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2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Day 6 Recap: Philippines makes history

The Philippines stunned host nation New Zealand to notch its first ever World Cup win

Another day, another slate of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup action to unpack. We had three games on Day 6, all of which came with their fair share of intrigue. Colombia faced off against the Korea Republic, New Zealand took on the Philippines, and Switzerland battled it out against Norway.

But as always, before we get into the games, this is your reminder that you can follow the entirety of the World Cup right here at Pro Soccer Wire! Check out the TV/streaming schedule, the updated list of the group stage standings, and the race for the Golden Boot.

Let’s get into the action.

New Jersey teen Phair makes World Cup history representing South Korea

The Korea-born New Jersey native played against Colombia at age 16 years, 26 days

Casey Phair has become the youngest player in World Cup history, entering South Korea’s match against Colombia at age 16 years, 26 days.

With her team trailing 2-0, Phair came on as a 78th-minute substitute in the match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The game would end by that same scoreline, with Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo giving Colombia an opening-game win.

Phair was born in South Korea to an American father and Korean mother, and moved to the United States when she was one month old. Her family moved around the country before settling in New Jersey in 2020.

The forward broke the previous record held by Ifeanyi Chiejine, who played for Nigeria at the 1999 World Cup at age 16 years, 34 days. On the men’s side, Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside holds the record after playing at age 17 years, 41 days at the 1982 World Cup.

Phair and South Korea goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi also set a Women’s World Cup record for the biggest age gap between teammates, with 22 years and 256 days between them.

Speaking to The Athletic about her decision to play for Korea instead of the United States, Phair said: “Whether it’s with the under-17 team or the senior team, I always feel that whenever I am with the Korean national team I am put in the best position to improve and thrive.”

Phair is also the first player of mixed heritage to be selected for a Korean World Cup squad, men’s or women’s.

“I know as the first mixed race player for Korea, men and women, it’s a highlight, it’s something new,” South Korea head coach Colin Bell said when he announced his World Cup roster.

“But as far as I’m concerned she’s still a kid and it’s my duty to protect her so she can blossom and really fulfill her potential. We’re taking care of her; she’s taken very well to the team. She’s in the squad on merit.”

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Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman visits White House

Marcus Freeman really is everywhere

If you at all follow Notre Dame football happenings on message boards or social media then you’ve certainly heard or read that “Marcus Freeman is everywhere!” a time or two.

Or 30.

Freeman added to that recently as he visited the White House.  No, he wasn’t on a sight-seeing event and taking pictures with his family outside the gates on Pennsylvania Avenue, but he was inside the White House dressed in his finest tuxedo and sporting an “ND” lapel pin.

Freeman was a guest at the State Dinner at the White House.  The event spent time marking the 70-year alliance between the United States and South Korea.  Freeman attended with a special guest of his own, his mother who is originally from South Korea.

It looks like it was an incredible event for Freeman and his mother.  It was nice of them to pose for a photo with a couple of Baylor fans in Chip and Joanna Gaines as well.

Here’s to hoping Freeman gets to make a return trip to the White House one day to celebrate what would be a really special occasion for Notre Dame fans.

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Top 10 Notre Dame women’s basketball players according to ChatGPT

Does the bot know women’s basketball?

I asked AI information bot ChatGPT to list what it believes are Notre Dame’s top 10 men’s basketball players. It only makes sense for me to give the women equal treatment. Plus the women have both a better recent past and future than the men. You know people want to know who’s made the program so special.

Please note that ChatGPT’s knowledge cuts off at September 2021, so you won’t find [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] on this list. Heck, she probably wouldn’t have made it anyway since she just completed her sophomore season. She still has a legacy to complete.

Here is ChatGPT’s disclaimer regarding the list:

“As a language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, and my responses are generated based on data and information available to me. However, I can provide you with a list of some of the most notable Notre Dame women’s basketball players, based on their achievements, accolades, and impact on the program.”

It also says this:

“Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is subject to personal opinions and interpretations. There have been many talented and accomplished players in Notre Dame women’s basketball history, and different people may have different criteria for their top 10 selections.”

With that out of the way, let’s see who the information bot has deemed worthy of making this list and what it had to say about each player:

The Jurgen Klinsmann Experience is heading to South Korea

The 58-year-old returns to coaching for the first time in three years

Former U.S. and Germany men’s national team head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has been named the new boss of the South Korea national team.

Klinsmann, 58, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and is set to lead South Korea through the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The ex-Germany national team star takes over from Paulo Bento, who stepped down after leading South Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I know that the Korean national team has been improving and achieving results over a long period of time,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the great coaches who have led the Korean national team, from Gus Hiddink to my predecessor, Paulo Bento.”

It will be Klinsmann’s first head coaching position since he stepped down after just 10 weeks in charge of Hertha Berlin in February 2020.

After a legendary playing career, Klinsmann took over as Germany head coach and led his country to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, which was seen as a major achievement.

That tournament was followed by a less successful spell in charge of Bayern Munich before he took over the USMNT in July 2011.

Klinsmann’s time in charge of the U.S. was full of highs and lows. He led the team to the 2013 Gold Cup before guiding them out of a difficult group at the 2014 World Cup. That tournament was proceeded by perhaps the most infamous moment of his time as U.S. coach: leaving Landon Donovan off the team’s roster.

The German was outspoken in his belief that American players should strive to play in Europe, which rankled some who saw it as disparaging of MLS. Klinsmann’s ultimate downfall, though, was the USMNT’s slow start to 2018 World Cup qualifying, which saw him sacked in November 2016 despite previously having signed a contract extension through the 2018 World Cup.

Bruce Arena was brought in to save the U.S. but to no avail, as the team shockingly missed out on Russia 2018.

Klinsmann will relocate to South Korea, per the federation’s announcement, after previously residing in Los Angeles for many years.

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Lydia Ko put a bow on a spectacular 2022 season with star-studded wedding in South Korea

Former World No. 1s Yani Tseng, Jiyai Shin and Ariya Jutanugarn were among those who attended the wedding.

Lydia Ko capped off a dreamy 2022 by marrying her sweetheart on Dec. 30 at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea. The current World No. 1 shared several images from the ceremony on Instagram, as did a number of top players who attended the wedding.

Ko confirmed her engagement to Jun Chung, son of Ted Chung, vice chairman and CEO, Hyundai Card, Hyundai Commercial, over the summer. Jun Chung works in finance for Hyundai and has a home in San Francisco.

He watched Ko win in person for the first time at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, where the Kiwi clinched the Rolex LPGA Player of the Year Award, Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, the money title and her third LPGA victory of the season. She’s now only two points shy of the 27 needed to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

“I think he motivates and inspires me to become a better person and a better player.” said Ko after the CME win.

Former No. 1s Yani Tseng, Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin and Ariya Jutanugarn were among those who attended the wedding in South Korea.

The LPGA season kicks off Jan. 19 with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, where Ko has a home.

Here are a few Instagram social snaps from Ko’s special day: