One year ago, Gina Kim stood on the final green at Copper Rock Golf Course and held her nerve to claim the 2025 Epson Tour Copper Rock Championship. This week, as the Epson Tour returns to those same southern Utah fairways for the 2026 edition, Kim is competing as a fully-fledged LPGA Tour member, and fresh off one of the biggest moments of her young career.

On Monday at Essex County Country Club in West Orange, New Jersey, Kim fired rounds of 70-70 to finish at -2 for the 36-hole qualifying event, then survived a playoff to claim one of only four spots into the 81st U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally. The field-leading scorer belonged to Dewi Weber at -6, but it was Kim's gritty performance under pressure that told its own story.

"Being back on the LPGA has been amazing and such a confidence booster in terms of being able to see how well my game holds up with the best players in the world," Kim said. "Being able to play at the highest level has always been a consistent goal of mine, and it's nice to see the progress I've made starting from the Epson Tour up till now. I can't wait to see what I can do at the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera."

The road to Riviera Country Club, where the U.S. Women's Open will be held June 4-7, has been a testament to Kim's belief in her own process. After earning her LPGA card through the Epson Tour, where she collected three victories throughout the 2025 season, Kim has credited her time on the developmental circuit as the foundation for the mental strength that got her through Monday's playoff.

"My time on the Epson Tour was truly life-changing for me in the sense that it reminded me that I was good enough to accomplish the goals that I set out for myself," she said. "Being able to see myself in contention and winning helped solidify my self-belief, and I think that was crucial when I had to go into a playoff to get the last spot into the U.S. Women's Open."

In similar timing to the 2026 Copper Rock Championship, Kim says her game is clicking at the right time.

"I definitely think similar parts of my game are showing up at similar timing, especially with my putting," she said. "I definitely think part of that is because I'm finally getting into the flow of being back on the road and adjusting back into competition mode after having an amazing off-season."

Kim's victory during last year’s Copper Rock Championship victory came in tough, wind-swept conditions where she was the only player in contention to shoot under par on the final day. She also spent time exploring the surrounding area with Greater Zion, an experience she says left a lasting impression.

To the athletes competing at Copper Rock this week, Kim had a simple message.

"Enjoy yourselves and really enjoy the views," Kim said. "I had such an amazing time at Zion National Park with Greater Zion, and those memories honestly mean so much to me. Being in the right mindset and being able to enjoy the environment while playing in tough conditions is what helped me persevere through those winds and play my best."

Gina Kim Battles Through Playoff to Punch Ticket to U.S. Women's Open

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