Kim Seo-a signs autographs for fans after completing her second round. [Photo provided by Sema Sports Marketing]
Kim Seo-a signs autographs for fans after completing her second round. [Photo provided by Sema Sports Marketing]

Kim Seo-a, a 14-year-old student at Sinseong Middle School in Anyang, sits in sole second place after the second round of the JLPGA Tour's Suntory Ladies Open.

Playing Friday at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan — a par-72 layout stretching 6,612 yards — Kim carded four birdies and one bogey for a 3-under-par 69, moving to 12-under 132 for the tournament and into sole second place.

Kim had led by one stroke after firing a 9-under 63 in Thursday's opening round, but she surrendered the top spot to Japan's Kuaki Shiho, who surged with a 7-under round that included five consecutive birdies on holes 4 through 8 — part of an eight-birdie, one-bogey 65. Kim enters Saturday's moving day as a pursuer.

Speaking through her management agency, Sema Sports Marketing, after the round, Kim said she was left with some regret over her ball-striking and putting. "Overall, my shots and putts didn't come together as well as I'd hoped, so I'm a little disappointed with how I played," she said. "But I'm satisfied that I managed to hold on through some tough moments and produce a better result than I expected."

Kim added that she intends to carry the same focus into the final rounds. "I want to concentrate on every shot the way I did in rounds one and two and give my best until the very end," she said. "My goal is to win, so I'll keep working to show good golf in the rounds ahead."

Japanese outlets including Jiji Press have taken keen notice of the young middle schooler competing at the top of a JLPGA Tour leaderboard for two straight days, calling her emergence "the arrival of a terrifying new star." Local media coverage of Kim's performance has centered on three key elements.

Japanese outlets have been most struck by her power off the tee — routinely clearing 270 yards on the strength of her 171-centimeter frame and fluid swing. Golf Digest Online Japan recounted how Anai Rara, currently the JLPGA Tour's longest hitter, watched Kim hit during a practice round and exclaimed, "Where on earth did this kid come from?"

Her rapid development has drawn equal attention. Kim originally dreamed of becoming a pianist before her grandmother encouraged her to take up golf at age 11. Japanese media have highlighted that backstory alongside her remarkable four-year playing career, praising the talent required to shoot a 9-under 63 in the first round of a professional event with so little experience. They also noted that her first-round blitz was no fluke — she has previously shot an 11-under 61 in a junior tournament, demonstrating a well-established ability to go on scoring runs.

Japanese media have also marveled at the composure that contrasts with her aggressive style of play. After a bogey-free opening round, Kim held her nerve under the heightened scrutiny and pressure of the second round, trimming three more strokes — a display of mental resilience that local outlets have singled out for praise.

Japanese golf site ALBA Net described her as "impressive for maintaining a calm, bright smile throughout, even after posting a shocking score." Her demeanor at the post-round press conference also left a strong impression on local media: sitting with her hands folded politely, she said quietly, "I'll just think about giving my best."

Japanese outlets have also drawn a historical parallel, recalling that 12 years ago, at the same tournament, a then-16-year-old Kim Hyo-joo fired an 11-under 61 in the final round to claim a come-from-behind victory.

Should Kim hold her position and win, she would break the JLPGA Tour's all-time record for youngest champion — set in 2024 by Lee Hyo-song at 15 years and 176 days — establishing a new mark of 14 years and 150 days. Japanese media have been careful to cite that figure as an objective benchmark as they watch closely.


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