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Jennifer Song is a unique Korean golfer: while
many Korean golfers take up the game in Korea, then come to
the States to play, Jennifer did the opposite. She was born
in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but moved to Korea to attend school.
She is in fact a dual citizen of the US and Korea, making
her eligible to represent either country in international
golf tournaments.
Jennifer grew up in Taejeon, the same city
that spawned Se Ri Pak and Jeong Jang. She has played most
of her amateur golf there, but in 2006 and thereafter began
to branch out to play more international events. In 2006,
she won the Asia Pacific Junior Golf Championship, but it
was in 2007 that she really started to make her mark. That
year, she became the captain of the Korean national team and
finished second at the Korean Women's Amateur.
In the summer, she came over to the States
and had more success. She finished tied for 39th at the US
Women's Open, which tied her with Jennie Lee for low amateur.
A little later she played the US Women's Amateur, and once
again did great, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals
before losing to her good friend Kimberly Kim in 21 holes.
In the Fall, Song was invited to play at the
KLPGA's KB Star Tour #5 event, and made the most of it. She
captured the first round lead, was third after two rounds,
then moved up to second after three rounds, albeit six shots
out of the lead held by Young Ran Jo. Unfortunately, she stumbled
on the final day, shooting a 77 to fall to 11th. But it was
still a great week in a pro event against a tough field.
Jennifer has committed to joining the USC
golf team in the Fall of 2008. Meanwhile, she has been named
to be an alternate on the 2008 Curtis Cup team.
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