Grace Kim\u2019s life changed forever just 17 days ago when she produced one of the most thrilling finishes in major championship history to win the Amundi Evian Championship.<\/p>\n
Now carrying the unofficial title of \u201cMajor Champion Grace Kim\u201d, she\u2019s juggling increased media attention and plenty of extra eyeballs as she prepares for the AIG Women\u2019s Open at Royal Porthcawl. Yet, anyone who has met Kim will recognise the same familiar Grace.<\/p>\n
Always quick to support her fellow Australian LPGA Tour players and warm to everyone she meets, Kim\u2019s rising profile saw her join stars like Jeeno Thitikul, Nelly Korda, Charley Hull and others on stage for a press conference ahead of the year\u2019s final major.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old\u2019s honest and often funny answers to media questions – on everything from the Aussie contingent to life away from golf – highlighted a personality which might just outshine even her world-class game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think it has changed all that much,\u201d she said when asked how her life has shifted since the win, perhaps downplaying what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously people coming up to you and saying congratulations is really nice, but at the same time, when people put the two words \u2018major champion\u2019 in front, it’s still quite hard to believe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, I’m still the same me. So nothing much has changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
That \u201csame me\u201d admitted to plenty of doom scrolling, aka the accidental deep dive into endless social media feeds, as well as \u201ca lot of sleeping and eating\u201d during her downtime. All classic signs of a young Aussie traveller\u2026 except Kim is doing it while teeing it up against the world\u2019s best for a US$9.75 million prize pool and a winner\u2019s cheque of $1.46 million.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Grace Kim speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the AIG Women’s Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst\/R&A\/R&A via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Recalling her drive from Scotland after missing the cut last week, Kim laughed about her first brush with Welsh culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw all the signs. It went from English to \u2013 not in a rude way, but like, gibberish,\u201d she joked. \u201cJust to make the road trip fun, we were trying to say the words, and it was impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she avoided the video challenge of pronouncing Wales\u2019 famously long place names, Kim was the star of another viral clip: the ecstatic reaction of her fellow Aussies after her playoff chip-in for birdie in France. She has watched it more than once, trying to take in what she\u2019s achieved.<\/p>\n
The win brought with it a wave of new Instagram followers and messages, including one from Greg Norman. Her mentor Karrie Webb even Facetimed her, admitting she \u201cnever jumped so high and screamed at the TV\u201d.<\/p>\n
The support has extended well beyond the tight-knit Australian crew, nine strong in this week\u2019s field and even turned some British fans into Aussie supporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost countries are very jealous of our camaraderie and our friendship,\u201d Kim said. \u201cI think that\u2019s the best answer you can get this week, so I\u2019ll take that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing an Aussie is very cool, and being part of this friendship group is also cool. We get along well, we banter, and we don\u2019t take it to heart. I think that\u2019s why the bond is so strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
That bond will be on display again this week, especially if the Aussies can complete a rare hat-trick of women\u2019s major wins, following Minjee Lee and now Grace Kim.<\/p>\n
AIG WOMEN’S OPEN
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Porthcawl, Wales
Recent champion: Lydia Ko
Past Aussie winners: Corinne Dibnah (1988), Karen Lunn (1993), Karrie Webb (1995, 1997, 2002)
Prize money: US$9.5 million in 2024 with announcement of 2025 Wednesday
TV times: Live 9pm-4am Thursday, Friday; Live 9:45pm-4am Saturday; Live 9pm-4am Sunday on Fox Sports 505 and Kayo Sports.<\/p>\n
Australasians in the field …<\/p>\n
Karis Davidson
World ranking: 220
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: Nil
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: N\/A
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T7, Meijer LPGA Classic<\/p>\n
Amelia Garvey (NZ)
World ranking: 248
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: Nil
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: N\/A
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: 3rd, Women\u2019s Irish Open<\/p>\n
Hannah Green
World ranking: 11
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 7
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: T16 in 2019
LPGA Tour wins: 6
LPGA major wins: 1
Best finish in 2025: T4, Founders Cup<\/p>\n
Grace Kim
World ranking: 26
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 2
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: T36 in 2023
LPGA Tour wins: 2
LPGA major wins: 1
Best finish in 2025: Won, Amundi Evian Championship<\/p>\n
Lydia Ko (NZ)
World ranking: 3
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 13
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: Won in 2024
LPGA Tour wins: 23
LPGA major wins: 3
Best finish in 2025: Won, HSBC Women\u2019s World Championship<\/p>\n
Momoka Kobori (NZ)
World ranking: 270
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: Nil
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: N\/A
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T4, Dutch Ladies Open<\/p>\n
Stephanie Kyriacou
World ranking: 42
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 5
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: T7 in 2022
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T5, Mizuho Americas Open<\/p>\n
Minjee Lee
World ranking: 5
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 11
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: 3rd in 2020
LPGA Tour wins: 11
LPGA major wins: 3
Best finish in 2025: Won, KPMG Women\u2019s PGA Championship<\/p>\n
Hira Naveed
World ranking: 141
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 1
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: MC in 2024
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T8, Mizuho Americas Open<\/p>\n
Cassie Porter
World ranking: 178
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 0
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: N\/A
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: 4th, Blue Bay LPGA<\/p>\n
Kirsten Rudgeley
World ranking: 162
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 0
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: N\/A
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T2, Women\u2019s NSW Open<\/p>\n
Gabriela Ruffels
World ranking: 63
Past AIG Women\u2019s Open appearances: 2
Best AIG Women\u2019s Open finish: MC in 2020, 2024
LPGA Tour wins: 0
LPGA major wins: 0
Best finish in 2025: T9, Amundi Evian Championship<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n \u00a9 Golf Australia. All rights reserved.
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