Sei Young Kim named LPGA Rookie of the year

Mizuno’s Sei Young Kim has been named the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year by the LPGA. Kim got her rookie year started with a win in a three-way playoff at the second event of the season, and secured her position as the leading rookie with a one-shot victory at November’s Blue Bay LPGA.

 “This is the best award to win. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s great to have won it against the strong 2015 rookie class.” – Kim Sei Young.

The 22-year-old Kim is currently ranked seventh in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Kim joined Karrie Webb as the second fastest player ever to win in her rookie season with a three-way playoff victory at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic. Even more impressive than her win at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic was the spectacular fashion in which Kim won the LOTTE Championship in April.

Kim earned ESPN Sports Center’s ‘Top Play of the Day’ when she holed out a chip on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Inbee Park. Kim then won the playoff by holing out for eagle from the fairway at the par-4 18th with a 154-yard eight-iron that took one hop and landed in the cup for the win.

Kim is part of a very strong Mizuno representation on the women’s tours.  Stacy Lewis is ranked 3rd in the world and Nicole Broch Larsen is storming up the European rankings (currently 2nd).  Gwladys Nocera is ranked 4 by the LET.

Nicole Broch Larsen / ranked 2 by the LET

Gwladys Nocera / ranked 4 by the LET

Stacy Lewis / world ranked 3