NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Recent Vanderbilt graduate Auston Kim will be making her professional debut on one of women’s golf’s biggest stages this week at the U.S. Women’s Open at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
Kim is scheduled to begin her run at the major championship at 8:27 a.m. CT Thursday alongside Beth Wu and Linnea Johansson, who are both making their U.S. Women’s Open debuts. That trio will start its second round at 1:42 p.m. CT Friday.
This will mark Kim’s third time playing at the event as she competed as an amateur in 2019 and 2020. In 2020, she fired a score of 70 during the second round on the par-71 course at the Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. She’s looking to make the cut for the first time at the tournament.
Kim ended her Commodore career with the lowest 54-hole score in program history (200 at the 2019 Cougar Classic) and two individual medalist titles, including the 2019 NCAA Auburn Regional. Kim also helped the Dores to a historic six-win season (2018-19), two NCAA Regional team titles (2019, 2022) and pair of NCAA Championships appearances (2019, 2022). She was a three-time All-American (Golfweek – 2, WGCA – 1), named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and a two-time All-SEC honoree.
Hello world.
Excited to announce that I’ve turned professional and will make my debut at the US Women’s Open. Ready to get after it! This wouldn’t be possible without the support of my parents, sister, and family. I’m super grateful to begin this journey with the people I love! pic.twitter.com/gDU121Tax9
— Auston (@AustonTKim) May 31, 2022
Also joining Kim is former Commodore star and two-time LPGA Tour champion, Marina Alex. Ranked in the top 30 of the latest Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings at No. 28, Alex will begin her eighth appearance at the event alongside two-time LPGA Tour champion Ally Ewing and two-time Olympian Gaby Lopez at 7:06 a.m. CT Thursday. The trio is scheduled to tee off for the second round at 12:51 p.m. CT Friday.
Alex defeated World No. 1 Jin Young Ko to win the Palos Verdes Championship at the beginning of May for her second career LPGA Tour title. The victory marked her first career title since the 2018 Cambia Portland Classic. She has made the cut four times at the U.S. Women’s Open, with her best finish at the event – and any major championship – coming in 2017 (T-11). Making her 38th major championship appearance this week, she is also aiming for her first major title.
As a Commodore (2008-12), Alex was a First-Team All-American in both 2010 and 2012), two-time SEC Golfer of the Year (2010, 2012) and the individual medalist at the 2010 SEC Championships. Her name is also etched eight times in the Vanderbilt record book, including the second-lowest round in program history after carding a 65 twice (2011 Stanford Intercollegiate – first round, 2010 SEC Championships – second round).
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast live coverage of all four rounds at Pine Needles throughout the week, beginning with GOLF Channel’s acclaimed “Golf Central Live From,” which will air a 4.5-hour preview show starting at 11:30 a.m. CT Wednesday. The first two rounds on Thursday and Friday will begin on Peacock from noon-2 p.m. CT, followed by coverage on USA Network at 2-7 p.m. CT. For the tournament’s full broadcast schedule and viewing options, click here.
